FIG. 214. TOWER OF LA TRINITÉ (from the Chapel).
hill, are traversed, and the old church on its fine platform is passed on the left. The road up the valley is easy and agreeable, but the ascent of the conical hill, the summit of which is crowned with the tower of La Trinité, is no light work. From a distance this tower looks like a lofty pedestal erected to support the colossal statue of the Virgin and child which now surmounts it. But on closer inspection it is found to be a remarkable example of a keep, defended with that accumulation of obstacles with which the old builders used to block up the access to their strongholds. After the steep hillside has been climbed, one finds himself at the base of the pointed rock on which the keep is set ([Fig. 213]). From here a sloping path leads up to the ruins of the chapel, of which only the vestiges of wall shewn in the sketch ([Fig. 214]), mingled with the scattered fragments of the font and other relics, now remain.
The ruins of a strong gateway in the outer walls which closed the access are passed just before reaching the chapel, and a lower bastioned terrace is continued round the northern part of the eminence at this level.
From the chapel, when one turns his eyes upwards to the tower (as in Fig. 214), he discovers such a series of winding stairs interrupted at frequent intervals with walls and gateways as must certainly have rendered a hostile approach in that direction impracticable, while perpendicular rocks and lofty walls made the access equally hopeless on the other sides. Besides this, on the side next the hill, which was perhaps the least invulnerable point, stands the keep ([Fig. 215]), strengthened with a projecting beak of similar form to that of the tower of Romée de Villeneuve. The lower story is original, and contained the doorway at the level of the top of the rock. This inaccessible point, on which there is a small platform, was probably reached by a rude stair cut in the rock (as indicated on the plan) and was defended with outworks, the approach to which was overlooked from the upper platform. The doorway, it will be observed, is placed on the opposite side of the tower from the platform, at a point where the foothold is narrow, and the door therefore all the more secure.
The upper portion of the tower dates from 1863, when, as the following inscription, which is carved on a marble slab let into the wall, announces, the old tower was reconstructed by the Comte and Comtesse de la Panisse-Pacy, and dedicated to the blessed Virgin:—
HOC ANTIQUUM CASTELLUM
VULGO DICTUM LA TRINITÉ
HENRICUS DE MARCK TRIPOLI
COMES DE PANISSE-PASSIS
ET MARIA THERESA
DE ROBIN DE BARBENTANE
EJUS UXOR INSTAURAVERUNT
BEATÆQUE MARIAE VIRGINI
IMMACULATAE TESTIMONIUM
FIDEI AC PIETATIS
DEDICAVERUNT ANNO DOMINI
MDCCCLXIII.
The tower alone has been restored in the manner shewn by the sketches; all the other portions remain undisturbed in their ruins. The rooms in the tower are only 10 ft. 6 in. long by 7 ft. wide, and there is no indication of any other habitation connected with the fort.
The place has all the appearance of a typical robber’s stronghold, and, as James V. said of a similar Scottish keep, “He that built it was a thief in his heart.” According to tradition, La Trinité was originally a keep of the Templars. That order had extensive possessions in this part of Provence, and they may have erected this tower as a post for watching and giving notice of the approach of an enemy. After the suppression of the order La Trinité passed into the possession of the Mathurins or Redfriars. They were also called the Order of the Trinity, and their special duty was to succour prisoners. The name of the tower may possibly have been derived from them. The chapel is 29 ft. long by 14 ft. wide, and the raised step at the east end is still traceable. The
