Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges
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Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges Cathedral
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 Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges
Location in France
Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges
Location in Occitanie
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| Country | France | |
| Region | Occitanie | |
| Department | Haute-Garonne | |
| Arrondissement | Saint-Gaudens | |
| Canton | Bagnères-de-Luchon | |
| Area
1
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11.17 km2 (4.31 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2022)
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233 | |
| • Density | 20.86/km2 (54.03/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) | |
| INSEE/Postal code |
31472 /31510
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| Elevation | 421–1,016 m (1,381–3,333 ft) (avg. 518 m or 1,699 ft) |
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| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | ||
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Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges is a small, historic village in southwestern France. It is located in the Haute-Garonne area. This special place is known as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages of France." It was once an important religious center. The village gets its name from Saint Bertrand.
Contents
Discover Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges
A Glimpse into History
Roman Beginnings
Long ago, around 406 AD, a Roman general named Pompey might have started a Roman settlement here. This settlement was likely built to protect a path through the Pyrenees mountains. However, experts have not found clear proof of this.
The Roman town was called Lugdunum Convenarum. It was built in the valley below where the village stands today. This town grew very large, with about 30,000 people at its busiest time. It was part of a Roman area called Novempopulana. The town even had its own Christian church leader, called a bishop.
Some stories say that Herod Antipas, a ruler from ancient times, lived here in exile. This happened around 39 AD, ordered by Emperor Caligula. In 405 AD, a group called the Vandals attacked the city. This forced many people to move up to the safer hilltop.
A Time of Change
In 585 AD, another group, the Burgundians, attacked the city. After this, the town slowly declined for nearly 500 years. Even so, the area kept its bishop, who was an important church leader. The bishop's main church was moved to a different city.
The Rise of Saint Bertrand
In 1083, a knight named Bertrand de l'Isle-Jourdain became the bishop of Comminges. He was a very important person for the village. Bishop Bertrand ordered the building of the beautiful cathedral and a special courtyard called a cloister.
This place then became a popular stop for pilgrims. These travelers were on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. In the 13th century, Bertrand de l'Isle became known as Saint-Bertrand. Because of him, the town changed its name to Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges. The name Comminges means "those who came together."
In 2012, the famous Tour de France bicycle race passed through this historic village.
Exploring the Sights
Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges has many interesting places to see. You can explore the old cathedral and a Romanesque church called a basilica. There are also ancient Roman ruins to discover. These ruins include parts of Roman baths and a theater.
The village itself looks like it's from the Middle Ages. It has old arches and stone passages. You can enter through several gates. One gate, the Cabirole Gate, even has old writing about a tax on fish from the time of King Louis XIV. Another gate, the Majou Gate, was used by pilgrims. If you walk along the old walls, you can see the Matacan Rock. Legend says a person named Gundoald was executed there long ago.
The Amazing Cathedral
The former cathedral is truly special. When you step inside, you can see three different building styles all at once!
- The oldest part is from the 12th century, built in the Romanesque style.
- Then there's a Gothic part from the 14th century. This was ordered by a pope named Bertrand de Goth.
- Finally, you'll see parts from the 16th century, built in the Renaissance style. This includes a grand organ.
The entrance area has two huge pillars, each over 11 meters around! The walls show Romanesque arches. The floors are made of marble and cover old tombs. The main part of the church, called the choir, is also Romanesque. It offers a great view of the valley.
The Gothic section is very tall, reaching 28 meters high. It has beautiful stained-glass windows with amazing details. These windows are almost as impressive as those in the city of Auch.
Inside the choir, you'll find 67 detailed wooden seats called stalls. These stalls show scenes from the Bible, like temptation and envy. Experts believe they were made by artists from France, Spain, and Italy. The choir looks very different from the rest of the church.
This former cathedral is so important that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is part of the famous routes to Santiago de Compostela.
People of Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1962 | 324 | — |
| 1968 | 317 | −2.2% |
| 1975 | 251 | −20.8% |
| 1982 | 228 | −9.2% |
| 1990 | 217 | −4.8% |
| 1999 | 237 | +9.2% |
| 2004 | 240 | +1.3% |
| 2008 | 257 | +7.1% |
| 2009 | 259 | +0.8% |
| 2014 | 243 | −6.2% |
| 2015 | 244 | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 242 | −0.8% |
The people who live in this village are called Commingeois. This name comes from the ancient region of Comminges. The population numbers show how the village has changed over the years.
Friends Around the World
Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges has a special friendship with another town.
Isábena, Spain, since 2018.
More to Explore
- Comminges
- Communes of the Haute-Garonne department
- List of Catholic dioceses in France
See also
In Spanish: Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges para niños
