| The Cluny Abbey is a Benedictine styled monastery | | | | were destroyed after the ransacking of the abbey by |
| that was the centre of a major monastic movement in | | | | the Huguenots, which happened in 1562. Whilst many |
| the Middle Ages. The Church was the largest Christian | | | | other volumes had fell into private hands and got |
| building in the world that is until St Peter's Basilica was | | | | scattered and could not be recollected. Some have |
| rebuilt in Rome in the 16th century, the churches building | | | | been recovered and can be found in the Bibliothque |
| was 656ft high. | | | | Nationale and the British Museum where there are |
| The Abbey was founded by William I, Count of | | | | roughly sixty chapters from Cluny. |
| Auvergne, in 910 AD whom installed the Abbot Berno | | | | This is an important building in the history of Burgundy, |
| and placed the abbey under the immediate authority of | | | | when you visit the popular site it the past glories will be |
| Pope Sergius III.. Benedictine monks also founded it and | | | | in the forefront of your mind. Only a tenth of the |
| offered perpetual prayer, emphasising liturgy and | | | | monastery remains and a visit of the monastery is |
| spiritual pursuits over labour and other monastic | | | | almost considered virtual like it doesn't really exist as |
| activities. They done it to observe a closer adherence | | | | when you go on a tour the professional guide will |
| to Benedictine rules. Over 10,000 were part of the | | | | advice you to watch an audio visual presentation. But if |
| monastery, that ranged from people of various | | | | you are in the Burgundy region you have to visit this |
| countries such as Poland and Scotland. The | | | | site and stay in one of the Burgundy villas in France |
| monastery was once the greatest power in Europe it | | | | while sampling some world class Burgundy wine. |
| was called a 'monastic empire'. This is the reason why | | | | Although the building was destroyed it still exudes its |
| the building were so huge as they needed to house | | | | ancient majesty and splendour. It is considered an |
| everyone and have 40 farms to produce food to feed | | | | Architectural tragedy in history as the damage was |
| them. | | | | done during the French Revolution, with church |
| Now it is a heritage site, after nine centuries of | | | | furnishes being burnt, whilst tombs were being |
| monastic life which includes a Museum of Art and | | | | overburdened and wrecked. This happened under the |
| Archaeology housing Romanesque sculpture, a | | | | first empire but the high octagonal tower, the chapel of |
| Medieval City rich in Romanesque and Gothic houses, | | | | bourbon and the ruins of the apse still remain. In 1750 |
| two churches and a Htel-Dieu (hospital) with several | | | | the abbey buildings were rebuilt and now holds a |
| fantastic paintings by Chaimowicz. At one point the | | | | technical school. A part of the church is now stabling a |
| Cluny library was considered the richest and most | | | | government stud and the abbot palace serves as an |
| important, not only in France but worldwide. It contained | | | | city hall, library and museum. |
| numerous valuable manuscripts however many items | | | | |