Stage Notes & History

HISTORY: 14th c. arch stretches across the road. The monks here specialised in caring for pilgrims suffering from ‘Saint Antony’s fire’, a wasting disease caused by a fungus which appeared in Europe in the 10th c. Gangrene was a side-effect. The Antonian monks specialized in amputation. Within the roadway arch are two niches where monks once left bread for travelers who arrived after the gates closed. Pilgrims now leave prayers there. The building was in use from 1146 to 1791.