Murs

The village lies at 500 meters altitude, along the ridge, on the edge of a rift. The area around Murs has been inhabited since the Middle Stone Age. In the Iron Age, around 537 BC, an oppidum was built in Murs. Murs was conquered by the Romans in 124 BC. The strengthened oppida were abandoned. The population felt secure enough in farms in the plains.
In the beginning of the 8th century the region was raided by the Moors, from Spain. Around the year 1000 one starts with the construction of a castle in Murs. In the 12th century a donjon was built, which serves as a barracks for the soldiers in the region. The castle will be constantly renovated until the 18th century. It is privately owned and can not be visited.
In April 1545 a bloody episode takes place here in the religious war against the Vaudois. The Catholics fought the Vaudois as heretics. In the neighborhood of Murs, dozens of women and children hid in the Bérigoule caves. They were fumigated and all died. The massacre would give rise to revenge of the inhabitants of Murs against the Catholics in the region.
The 17th century is the golden age for the village. This is still being noticed by the numbers in the facades of the houses.
Next to the castle, the other main attraction is the church of Saint-Loup. It is a Romanesque church from the 12th century. The chuch dates from the 18th century with the relics of Saint-Loup, Saint Lambert and Saint Andrew; an incense barrel and a silver processional cross.
After another coffee we leave the village along the main road D4 in the direction of Vénasque and Carpentras. We have to climb 150 meters up to the Col de Murs. First we drive along fields but eventually the road turns into the mountains.

Wim Willems