Fontenay Abbey, in Burgundy, was founded by Cistercian monks with the support of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Its buildings, begun in the twelfth century, are among the best preserved examples of early Cistercian architecture, with a plain church, a cloister, a dormitory, and a forge for ironworking, which reflects the order's ideals of simplicity, work and prayer. During the French Revolution the monks were expelled, and the buildings were sold, becoming a paper mill for a long time. In the twentieth century they were bought by a family who restored them to their medieval character. Fontenay was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1981, and is open to visitors.
Before and after
- 19 December 1111Death of Al-Ghazali
- from c. 1113 to 1150Suryavarman II builds Angkor Wat
- from 1115 to 1569Republic of Florence
- from 1115 to 1234Jin dynasty
- from 1118 to 1791Construction of Abbey of Fontenay
- from May 1118 to December 1118Conquest of Zaragoza
- from c. 1120s to 1390sRise of Guelphs and Ghibellines
- from 1121 to 1269Almohads
- 23 September 1122Concordat of Worms
More in Civilizations & archaeology
- 710 CEConstruction of Al-Aqsa Mosque
- 802 CEConstruction of Angkor Wat
- from 2 February 962 CE to 6 August 1806Holy Roman Empire
- 990 CEConstruction of Château de Montsoreau
- 1193Origins of Chernobyl
- 1373Construction of Leaning Tower of Pisa
The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes. You can also browse everything in the 12th century.