Terribilis est locus iste

Having come into his mysterious wealth of unknown origin, Sauniere redecorated the church with strange and on the whole, non-Christian imagery having more in common with the occult and even Pagan traditions than the later. What is the purpose of these bizarre symbols - and what do they mean, why did he do it?

Sauniere strangely placed a statue of Mary Magdalene above the newly remodeled porch of the church, sparking perhaps the curious legend initially, it reads: Terribilis est locus iste meaning ‘This is a terrible place’ - clearly visible to all above the entrance to the Church. Was it an ill thought out attempt to keep people away? If so he clearly failed as it has attracted people to ask themselves ‘ Why’ he would do such a thing, to this very day!

Saunière’s church has everything from inverted crosses, crouching demons, strange looking angles, Masonic images, a crouching Christ and In 1986, it was found that the heads one of the angels were hollow, stuffed with pages from German newspapers dating from 1898, the year of the refurbishment of the church. The floor between the two main pillars has also been laid to resemble a chess board, a reccuring Masonic theme. Which in turn was sparked to legends relating to the building of the Temple of Solomon Why Saunière did any of this is unknown. The newspaper has never proven to be significant in any way as yet either.
Nothing very interesting has been discovered in the church in recent years.

Clearly, many think there is something still inside yet to be discovered as many thefts have taken place, statues have had their heads cut off and have been stolen and it’s thought that many groups such as The Masons and the Vatican still keep an eye on and posses an unhealthy interest in the tiny church to this day.