Prieuré de Serrabone
Another important abbey in this region is the Prieuré de Serrabone. A twisting sideway of the road from Ille-sur-Têt to Amélie-les-Bains leads to this romanesque priory with a richly decorated interior including flowers and animals on the capitals and a marble bishop's throne with carving so delicate it looks like embroidery. The windowless nave is dominated by an unusual cloister. Excavated columns found here suggest that much of the original priory was as elaborate as the tribune of pink marble.
There's a small boranical garden on foot of the priory and opposite the parking lot, showing the region's diverse flora. It's worth to take a stroll here and look up to the abbey. The location, set as it is on a hill top against a precipitous and wooded drop, is impressive.
