18 – The Barbican …

At the gate

Continuing with our climb up the Mont, increasingly dwarfed by the looming stone walls, we encounter part of the defensive structure of the buildings known as the barbican. Although the word is of argued linguistic origin (most probably from the Latin barbecana) barbican is a term applied to many castle fortified entrances. Commonly protected by twin turrets or towers as is the case here, this example is part of the fourteenth century defensive system of Mont St Michel.  As is usual the barbican was part of the front line defensive system of the abbey.  Linked by crenulated ramparts any attacker would be vulnerable to repulsion through objects dropped from above as well as artillery fire from the towers. Could the visible pitting of the lichen crusted hard granite stonework be relics of English attempts to breach the gate? Siege methods of attack became increasingly sophisticated as artillery weaponry increased in fire power – both in distance and effect, and most barbicans constructed beyond the fifteenth century (they are a common feature of later French chateaux architecture) were more decorative than practical.  

Entering through the barbican gate there was a notable change in mood amongst the visitors. The Disneyesque commercial character of the town was left behind and the spiritual nature of the Mont began to surface.

I knew then that this visit would be something special.