TOUR DES PENITENTS

The tower of Auriac, better known under the name of "Tower of the Penitents" is the only one preserved today on the fifteen defensive towers which completed the ramparts surrounding the city of Mende in the 15th century. Semi-circular in shape, it leaned against the rampart, part of which is still accessible and visible during guided tours. The tower was extensively modified at the end of the 16th century. In 1593, the ultra-Catholic governor of Mende Montmorency Fosseuse decided to destroy the large hospital which occupied the entire space of the hall, the chapel and the houses up to the rue d'Angiran today. Instead, he built a fortress to control the city. In 1597, following a siege by royal troops, the city was recaptured and the fortress destroyed but retaining the pre-existing enclosure. The walls will be dismantled from 1768. The tower of Auriac has been preserved because it was already used as a bell tower for the penitents' chapel, a building attached to the western part of the tower. The chapel was built in 1657 for the Brotherhood of White Penitents, a brotherhood founded in 1626. Its members, first recruited from local high society, showed their charity in various ways, in particular by financing burials for the poorest, the helping the poor and destitute or funding and participating in major processions. They paraded, especially on Maundy Thursday, dressed in their great white garments carrying the instruments of the Passion of Christ. This traditional procession continued until 1914. The Penitents' Tower is only accessible during certain guided tours. You have the possibility of discovering a large part of Mende's heritage on your own. For this, we advise you to obtain the Heritage of Mende brochure which is available free of charge at the Tourist Office or to download . Find out more about the historic center of Mende (info, timetables & prices).

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