Fontenay Monastery - France

Unesco's Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization recognized French Fontenay monastery as a World Cultural Heritage in 1981.

Fontenay Monastery - World cultural heritage in France

Fontenay Monastery is located in the heart of Bourgogne in the central part of France. The monastery belongs to the religious monastery (Citeaux) built for the priests and monks of this religious order. Historically, Fontenay Monastery was founded in 1119 by the monk Bernard de Clairvaux, after which the monastery was granted permission by Pope Eugene III in 1147. Fontenay monastery consists of a large chapel and conference room. fellow monks and private spaces for monks, monks and monks of the monastery. The cathedral is 66 meters long, 8 meters wide, 19 meters long. In the middle of the cathedral there is a statue of the Virgin Mary and the Bronze Princess dating from the 12th century. The architecture of the monastery is quite beautiful, but the things that make the architectural value of the strange monastery are decorative wall. Fontenay monasteries are decorated with paintings and statues. The way to decorate, arrange paintings and statues here is very logical but also full of creativity. If you look at the landscape outside, the monastery will look like a big villa with the architecture of the building and the beautiful garden landscape.

It can be said that Fontenay monastery is the oldest monastery left to this day, and also the most intact monastery still exists in Europe. The monastery once had an extremely developed period in the 12th to 14th centuries.

By the 15th century, the monastery began to decline and by the 16th century it almost fell into oblivion. Until the end of the nineteenth century, Fontenay monastery began to be restored with restoration and renovation projects. So in 1981, the monastery was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage by Unesco.

During the development period from the 12th to 14th centuries, the monks and monks of the monastery developed metallurgy. Those two hundred years can be said to be quite a glorious 200 years of this order in general and Fontenay monastery in particular. In 1259, the King who ruled France at that time, King Louis IX decided to exempt all monasteries for taxes. In 1269, Fontenay monastery became the monastery of the Royal Family . The next kings, Jean II, Charles VIII and Louis XII, continued to favor Fontenay monastery. After the 14th century, the weakening of the monastery began to appear by wars. The wars caused the Royal family to change policies at the time, the expenditures had to be reduced to make up for the war, so the money for the monastery was reduced. The continuous war caused the monastery to almost completely die in the 18th century. In 1791, monks and monks of Fontenay monastery had to sell the monastery and all the land owned around the monastery. for 78,000 francs. The buyer of this land is Claude Hugo t - a merchant. Mr. Claude Hugot has turned the monastery into a paper mill for almost a century.

In 1820, Fontenay monastery became the property of Eslie de Montgolfier and in 1906 was acquired by Esdouard Aynard - the owner of a bank. During the period from 1905 to 1911, the monastic structures were remodeled to regain their original, original medieval architecture. Manufactures that were created during the previous transfer to private bosses were all destroyed.

Despite being restored, many times, Fontenay monastery still had many parts damaged. Maintenance is quite expensive so every year the monastery is only partially serviced and requires subsidies from the State and the people to contribute.