Espalion

The community Espalion with 4313 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) is located in the French region of Midi -Pyrenees in the department of Aveyron and is the capital of the canton of the same name. Its inhabitants call themselves Espalionnais. In the local Occitan language is called the place Espalion (pronounced Espaliou ). It lies on the GR 65, which is largely the historical course of the French pilgrimage route " Via Podiensis " follows.

Geography and transport

Espalion located in the southern part of the Massif Central on the banks of the Lot, in the triangle Bordeaux, Lyon, Toulouse. The next major French cities are Lyon ( 213 km) to the northeast, Toulouse ( 147 km) in the south-west, Bordeaux (267 km ) to the west and Montpellier ( 135 km) to the southeast.

The nearest airport is Rodez - Marcillac, which is served, including the Air France and Ryanair. About the D988 or D27 he is about 38 road miles away. The nearest train station is also located in Rodez. In Espalion opens the D987, which runs from the Aubrac region in the Lot Valley, in the D920a. It also border, coming from the northwest, the D921 and coming from the southeast, the D108.

History

The village was established on both sides of the bridge over the river " Lot " and developed as a trading center for goods from the Aubrac. Already a Roman road crossed the river in neighboring St. Cosmas d' Olt by a ford near the present bridge. In the 10th century, the castle of the lords of Calmont d'Olt - built above the town. The builder should have been a lieutenant of Charlemagne. Espalion 1926 lost its role as a sub-prefecture. But it was never the capital of the district.

Way of St. James ( Via Podiensis )

In Espalion there next to the Hotels and Restaurants Tourist Information, several pilgrims' hostels (French: Gîte d' étape ). In addition, the village has a campsite. The station no longer exists, however long ago. The further course of the Camino leads lotabwärts, to the Romanesque church of Bessuéjouls over after Estaing. Running there as a by- road the D556 followed by the D100, or as a main road, the D920a.

Attractions

Espalion is a regional center in the upper Lot Valley. With the old Gerber houses and a beautiful gothic bridge it has a very original cityscape. The cityscape is dominated by the ruins of the castle Calmont d' Olt. On the riverfront, stone steps lead from old houses with wooden balconies down to the water, reminiscent of their former function as tanneries.

Calmont d' Olt Castle

The Calmont d' Olt castle rises on a 535 meter high basalt knoll above the town and the valley of the Lot. A Carolingian Ministeriale " Calvomantese " was first mentioned in the year 883. The curtain wall and its bastions eight are from the 15th century.

Old Bridge

The old bridge was built in the 13th century. Originally, it was fastened with three towers. Until the 17th century brought the lords of Calmont a bridge toll. It was then acquired by the municipality and demolished the towers.

The arch bridge made ​​of red sandstone, with its four pointed arches resting on pillars, which are provided for purposes of defense with pointed bastions. Since 1998, the bridge is designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO " Camino de Santiago in France."

Perse Church

The church said to have been built on the site, said to have been beheaded at the year 730, the local saint Hilarian by the Saracens. According to legend, he is said to have separated from the body head worn for up to one source, there to clean it. 1060 a pre-Romanesque monastery named " Perse " by Hugo von Calmont has been given to the abbey of Conques. Meanwhile monks built the present church in the 11th and 12th centuries.

The church is built of pink sandstone in the Romanesque style. Only the north chapel dates from the 15th century. The tympanum above the entrance shows the Apocalypse, the Last Judgment and the miracle of Pentecost. In a small alcove above the portal is an illustration of the Magi can be seen. Inside the church there are frescoes that were originally derived from the 12th century and capitals with decorative figures.

Former Church of Saint -Jean

The former church was deconsecrated in 1883, then served for many years as a city hall before it was restored in 1978. Since then, it houses a local history museum and the Musée du Scaphandre, a museum dedicated to the history of Skaphanders, and a native of Espalion inventors of the diving apparatus Rouquayrol - Denayrouze, a precursor of today's regulator.

Twin Cities

• Langhirano, Italy, in the province of Parma
• Tauste, Spain, in the province of Zaragoza
• Ingelheim am Rhein