The Fontenay Abbey is one of Europe’s oldest Cistercian monasteries, nestled in a tree-lined valley in Burgundy. It was founded in the early 12th Century by St. Bernard, and is an outstanding example of pure Romanesque style, which was never altered or added to during other architectural periods. It is notable for being extremely well-preserved and is therefore fascinating from a social history point of view as well as in artistic and architectural terms. The church, cloisters, dormitories, infirmary, forge, bakery and even the heating system and toilets are still present and can be explored by visitors.

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Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay

This stark Burgundian monastery was founded by St Bernard in 1119. With its church, cloister, refectory, sleeping quarters, bakery and ironworks, it is an excellent illustration of the ideal of self-sufficiency as practised by the earliest communities of Cistercian monks.

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Review posted 7th December 2007 by World Reviewer Staff.

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