A little history
The terms oppidum and castrum are both used in the context of military architecture and fortification, but these two types of construction differ in time and design.
An oppidum was a pre-Roman fortification, with an urban center for commerce, a political center and one or more religious establishments.
A castrum was a construction from the Roman era and more of a military camp, designed to be functional, with straight streets, military buildings and sometimes housing for soldiers.
The history of the Sainte-Magdeleine site
To better understand the choice of the strategic and military establishment of an oppidum then a castrum on this site, we must imagine the hill with much less vegetation. Indeed, during this period, the forests are widely exploited to extract firewood, for cooking and construction. The view was therefore perfectly clear from the Sainte-Magdeleine site, which allowed effective surveillance of the surrounding area.
The history of the place begins in 1008, when the viscounts of Marseille ceded the villa of La Môle, Villae Ad Molam, to Saint-Victor Abbey. It will be shared, ceded, shared, over the centuries and will be the cause of conflicts from 1257.
Construction of the Sainte Magdeleine chapel in 1280.
Between 1280 and 1358, there is mention of a castrum on the peak of Sainte-Magdeleine, but for a brief period. In 1331, the mention of burgus (defense tower) appears. The castrum, built in 1350 on the site, included a fortified complex built at the top of the hill encircling the chapel. This castrum thus made it possible to master and control the traffic routes between Bormes, Cogolin and Collobrières.
From 1360 to 1450, there followed an episode of abandonment of the site, lasting almost a century. In 1400 the land of La Mole was declared uninhabited. Then historical research confirms the use of the chapel during the Middle Ages and until the 20th century.
From 1360 to 1450, there followed an episode of abandonment of the site, lasting almost a century. In 1400 the land of La Mole was declared uninhabited. Then historical research confirms the use of the chapel during the Middle Ages and until the 20th century.
In 1499 the site once again lost its function as a cure and became nothing more than a poor rural priory. The Carthusians then decided to unite the priory of Sainte-Magdeleine with La Verne due to the decrease in the number of monks.
In 1729, the building was destroyed by a fire and had to be completely rebuilt. The reconstruction completely overhauls the chapel with materials identical to those found at the Chartreuse de la Verne: tiles, bricks and clay shuttles; restoration of font; condemnation or creation of doors.
After the Revolution in 1789, the community of “La Molle” developed again.
Between 1808 and 1817, work was undertaken again. The residents of La Mole work together to restore their church: double-sloped roof to replace the vault; addition of an entrance door and finally construction of a presbytery.
In 1879, an embryonic village took shape on the current location: a roadmender’s house was built along the Route Royale (future RD 98)
