Andrew Gough's Arcadia

Part III

Patrice was insistent I gain entrance to Saint Luke’s church, near the main cathedral, just outside the Old Town ramparts. She maintained it was an important part of the story, but would not say why. I had attempted to gain entry for days on end, but failed each time. The place looked foreboding as hell and was always locked.

The foreboding Saint Luke’s church

While in Girona I was in daily contact with my friends, the Rennes-le-Château researchers, Philip Coppens and Corjan de Raaf. We were preparing to launch a new website and had been discussing the relationship between Girona, Rennes-le-Château and Perillos. Patrice had drawn our attention to the importance of the North / South alignment, the Isis and Nephted as she called it, and how the Grail rituals were designed to open a portal between the two towers and make way for what she called the ‘unmanifest messiah’. It was all a bit overwhelming.

Corjan put together a map of the three cities using Google Earth and we discussed it over email.

A Tale of Two Towers: North and South
(© Corjan de Raaf)

We’d also been discussing the work of Isaac Ben Jacob, a researcher whose investigation into a French death cult, or society known as La Sanch (La Sang in Spanish) was proving to be a key element of the developing link between Girona and Rennes-le-Château.

The Perpignan-based society is famous for its Easter processions, elaborate dress, and mysterious rituals on the dead; rituals for a fee, designed to ensure that a person’s soul goes to heaven regardless of the quality of life they led.

Jacob’s analysis of Bérenger Saunière’s letters and regalia indicate that the priest may have been part of the society. I reflected on this, adding that the church in Durban, near Perillos / Perpignan, contains La Sanch symbolism. This is the church where Saunière’s mentors, Abbés Gelis and Boudet, received their first assignment as priests.

‘So Saunière’s involvement in La Sanch is really not that far-fetched,’ I thought. I then realised that Saunière’s West Wall fresco in the church of Saint Mary Magdalene in Rennes-le-Château contained one of the core La Sanch symbols; a bag of gold. Was this the proof I had been looking for that Saunière was part of La Sanch?

A bag of gold; proof that Sauniere was involved in La Sanch?

Now that Patrice has revealed that the Sun Stone has been moved from Girona to Perpignan, we’re keen to understand if there’s a La Sanch presence in Girona. By process of elimination, we suspect it might be based at Saint Luke’s, but I was struggling to gain entry to confirm.

I decide to give Patrice a call.

‘I’m feeling a bit weak from yesterday Patrice, but fancy a road trip as it’s my last full day; still too drained for Canigou I’m afraid. I was thinking of Ripoll. Didn’t you mention that José used to go there on retreat?'

‘Good choice! Yes, he used to go there, or thereabouts. He went to the area a lot, but refused to talk about it.’

‘Ok, well that’s good enough for me. Ripoll it is then!’

‘Just remember to be careful, and encircle yourself with protection if you find yourself in any danger. I’m serious!’

‘Right, thanks Patrice. Will do. I’ll let you know how I get on. Oh, and I keep forgetting to ask. Any luck with your contact who knows the key holder for Saint Luke’s?’

‘No, but I’ll keep trying.’

The medieval Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoll is sensational. It’s Roman - some would argue pagan - carvings are among the best preserved in all of Spain. It’s also the resting place of the Counts of Barcelona.

I stubbornly continued to search for Bigou’s tomb, this time in and around the monastery grounds. The only thing I discovered was an English-speaking guide. Fortuitously, she was able to direct me to three other churches in the area that conducted Easter Parades: ‘Sounds like La Sanch to me,’ I thought. ‘Could any of these be the one that Tarres visited on his retreats?’ I had to find out.

10th century tomb of a Count of Barcelona - Ripoll

The first church was interesting, but un-sensational. They had just reinstated their ritual for the first time in 42 years and there were no signs of anything unusual, so I moved on to Saint Joan de les Abadesses. Now this was more like it. The church and its adjoining museum contained fascinating artefacts, including a Chapel of Pain, a curious eagle and yet more towers!

The eagle, near the church entrance

Pelican feeding its young with its own blood – Chapel of Pain

Towers at the base of a statue

I drove north to Camprodon, and the last of the Easter Parade churches I needed to investigate. As I approached, a thunderstorm erupted and hail the size of marbles blurred my vision. Clearly spring storms in the Pyrenees could be quite unpredictable, and violent. I parked in front of an unmarked church across from the village square, tucked the camera securely under my shirt and ran inside. ‘Amazing’, I thought, as I studied what was clearly a La Sanch church of some significance. ‘La Processo Dels Sants Misteris A Camprondon,’ the sign read.

A La Sanch showcase in Camprodon

And there in the corner of the showcase, near a golden chalice was a bag of nuggets; similar to bags I had seen in other La Sanch churches, including Saunière’s.

The bag: a La Sanch symbol

I ran back to the car and drove to the other side of town. Saint Maria beckoned. It was bucketing down and the thunder created an atmosphere reminiscent of a Belo Lugosi film. I was reminded of a local legend from nearby Mt. Canigó, where Catalan witches called bruixes created a hailstorm by urinating into a hole and beating the liquid with vines. I wondered…

The instant I entered Saint Maria I was overcome with fear. I mean I was literally gripped by terror. This too was a La Sanch church, which struck me as odd. ‘Why would any town need more than one?’ I questioned.

I remembered what Patrice had said about seeking protection if ever I felt endangered. It felt like I needed protection all right – and fast. As I walked around the pitch dark nave I fretted that the statues would leap off the wall and steal my soul – maybe even suck the blood from my veins.

La Sanch statue in Saint Maria

I departed Saint Maria fearfully watching my back; thankful that my soul was still intact, or so it seemed.

I searched the old cemeteries in the area in the pouring rain; no sign of Bigou’s tomb anywhere. I returned to Girona somewhat disappointed, yet more determined than ever to gain access to Saint Luke’s. If it too was La Sanch, then maybe the Girona link with Perpignan, Rennes-le-Château and Saunière could be strengthened.

It was my last morning in Girona and I was not feeling optimistic. But then Patrice called. ‘I found the phone number of my guy! It wasn’t easy, trust me. Call him now,’ she said.

‘If anyone can get you into Saint Luke’s, he can! He has connections, you know.’

I promptly called Patrice’s ‘guy’, who in turn made a few calls of his own, and within 90 minutes I had connected with the key holder. We entered the church through the side door, near the ancient Arab baths. ‘Incredible’, I thought, ‘this is not so much a church as a warehouse of processional equipment!’ And there in the back, in a side room, was a cross on the wall containing the now-familiar La Sanch symbols. So Saint Luke’s was a La Sanch centre after all. ‘Is that why Patrice said it was important?’ I wondered.

As I walked back to retrieve my rucksack I noticed yet another tower amongst all the kit. ‘Why does that not surprise me?’ I thought.

Processional equipment – Saint Luke’s, Girona

La Sanch cross and symbols

Yet another tower

I thanked my guide, who was in fact the 2003 Grand Master of the Manaies of Girona, and headed for the archives one last time. Philip and Corjan were keen for me to track down an obscure article called La Sanch in Girona. I photographed the article and headed for the airport.

An article from the Girona archives: La Sanch in Girona

The Girona trip had exceeded my expectations, despite the food poisoning and the disappointment of not climbing Mt. Canigou – or finding Bigou’s tomb or meeting Tarres!

Back in London I met Patrice for lunch. I was feeling guilty about visiting Tarres’s home as this was so clearly against her wishes.

I confessed.

She said, ‘Hun, I’m a medium. I knew the second you went there. I saw it! It was Sunday, just before dusk. Right?’

‘Unbelievable,’ I thought. She was right. I mean she was spot on!

‘Err, yes, it was,’ I said.

‘I knew it,’ Patrice exclaimed. ‘I knew you had gone.’

‘Listen, I’m really sorry I lied to you Patrice,’ I said, awkwardly.

‘I’m not worried about that Andrew. I know what you’re like. Just be careful when questing in Girona, ok? Promise me that. Its serious business you know.’

I couldn’t have agreed more.

View Rare Photos of the Torre Magdala