abbey

(noun)

A monastery or society of people, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy, which is headed by an abbot or abbess; also, the church of a monastery.

Related Terms

Examples of abbey in the following topics:

  • Cluny

    • Cluny Abbey, first built in 910 in Romanesque style, influenced future architecture in Western Europe into the twelfth century.
    • Cluny Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in Cluny, Saône-et-Loire, France.
    • The abbey estate was sold in 1798 for 2,140,000 francs.
    • Until 1813, the abbey was used as a stone quarry, ransacked for material to build houses in the town.
    • Since 1901, the abbey has sheltered a forming center of the École Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers (ENSAM) of the engineers of the Art-and-Trades.

  • Gothic Architecture: The Abbey Church of Saint Denis

    • The Abbey Church of Saint Denis is known as the first Gothic structure and was developed in the 12th century by Abbot Suger.
    • The Abbey Church of Saint Denis, also known as the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Denis, is a large medieval abbey church in the commune of Saint Denis, now a northern suburb of Paris.
    • Dagobert I refounded the church as the Abbey of Saint Denis, a Benedictine monastery.
    • Thus, the Abbey of Saint Denis became the prototype for further building in the royal domain of northern France.
    • Illustrate a timeline of the creation of the Abbey Church of Saint Denis

  • The Church

    • In France, the famous abbeys of Aux Dames and Les Hommes, at Caen and Mont Saint-Michel respectively, date from this period, as do the abbeys of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
    • Many cathedrals owe their foundation to this period, often beginning as monastic abbey churches.
    • Unfortunately, very little of the abbey church at Cluny remains.
    • On each of the routes abbeys such as those at Moissac, Toulouse, Roncesvalles, Conques .
    • The Abbey of Saint-Foy, Conques, France.

  • Cistercian Architecture

    • Cistercian institutions were primarily constructed in Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles during the Middle Ages, although later abbeys were also constructed in Renaissance and Baroque.
    • The Cistercian abbeys of Fontenay in France, Fountains in England, Alcobaça in Portugal, Poblet in Spain, and Maulbronn in Germany are today recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
    • Foigny Abbey was 98 meters (322 ft) long; Vaucelles Abbey was 132 metres (433 ft) long.
    • It is from the 12th century Byland Abbey in Yorkshire that the oldest recorded example of architectural tracing is found.
    • The "architecture of light" of Acey Abbey represents the pure style of Cistercian architecture, intended for the utilitarian purposes of liturgical celebration.A

  • Norman Architecture

    • The Normans introduced large numbers of castles and fortifications, including Norman keeps, monasteries, abbeys, churches, and cathedrals.
    • This elaboration can be seen in the Abbey of Saint-Étienne at Caen, begun in 1063, which formed a model for the larger English cathedrals whose construction was begun some twenty years later.
    • Edward the Confessor was brought up in Normandy, and in 1042 he brought masons to work on Westminster Abbey, the first Romanesque building in England.
    • Following the Norman invasion of England, Normans rapidly constructed more motte-and-bailey castles, and in a burst of building activity, they built churches, abbeys, and more elaborate fortifications such as Norman stone keeps.
    • The Abbey of Saint-Étienne is a former Benedictine monastery in the French city of Caen, Normandy, dedicated to Saint Stephen.

  • Carolingian Architecture in the Early European Middle Ages

    • For instance, the gatehouse of Lorsch Abbey, built around 800 CE in Germany, exemplifies classical inspiration for Carolingian architecture, built as a triple-arched hall dominating the gateway, with the arcaded façade interspersed with engaged Corinthian columns and pilasters above.
    • The westwork of Corvey Abbey (873-885), Germany, is the oldest extant example that still remains.
    • Like the gate house from Lorsch Abbey, the westwork of Corvey consists of a symmetrical arcade of three round arches at the base.
    • Lorsch Abbey (800 CE) demonstrates the Roman-classical inspiration the Carolingians took for their architecture, with a triple arch hallway dominating the gateway and interspersed with engaged classical columns.

  • Cathedrals

    • Peter's Basilica, Notre Dame de Paris, Cologne Cathedral, Salisbury Cathedral, Prague Cathedral, Lincoln Cathedral, the Basilica of St Denis, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Basilica of San Vitale, St Mark's Basilica, and Westminster Abbey.
    • Many cathedrals, basilicas, and a number of abbey churches are among the most renowned works of architecture in existence.
    • Many large cathedrals and abbey churches had been constructed by the mid 12th century and the engineering skills required to build high arches, stone vaults, tall towers, and the like were well established.
    • The word baroque means "a pearl of irregular shape. " There are many large churches, abbeys, and basilicas built in this style, but few cathedrals in Western Europe.

  • Pilgrimage Churches

    • On each of the routes abbeys, such as those at Moissac, Toulouse, Roncesvalles, Conques, Limoges, and Burgos catered for the flow of people and grew wealthy from the passing trade.
    • The most significant are the great abbey churches, many of which are still standing, more or less complete and frequently in use.

  • Wiligelmo and Other Forms of Architecture

    • Among the many examples that exist, one of the finest is the figure of the Prophet Jeremiah from the pillar of the portal of the Abbey of Saint-Pierre, Moissac, France, from about 1130.
    • The cloisters of Santo Domingo de Silos Abbey, in Northern Spain, and Moissac are fine surviving examples.

  • Romanesque Art

    • This abbey, founded in 1093, is an example of Romanesque architecture.