Saint-Sever Abbey

Saint-Sever, France

Saint-Sever Abbey (abbaye de Saint-Sever) is a Benedictine monastery. It was founded at the end of the 10th century by William II Sánchez of Gascony. According to the monastic chronicles, this was as the result of a vow he made after the battle of Taller, in Gascony, in which he defeated the Vikings (982). In 1060, after a fire, the abbey was reconstructed on the model of Cluny under the direction of the abbot Gregori de Montaner. The Saint-Sever Beatus was the work of monks working under the direction of the same abbot; Abbot Gregori held the post from 1028 to 1072.

The abbey church is a Romanesque building from the 12th century with seven apses. The abbey was listed by France as a historic monument in 1911 and in 1998 it and other sites were jointly designated as the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France World Heritage site.

References:

Wikipedia

Address

Place du Tour de Sol 7, Saint-Sever, France

See all sites in Saint-Sever

Details

Founded: 10th century AD
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Frankish kingdoms (France)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Couvent des Jacobins (0,2 km)

Donjon Lacataye (15,9 km)
Château de Pau (54,1 km)
Saint-Martin Church (54,2 km)
Sorde Abbey (46,4 km)
Roman Crypt (38,8 km)
Dax Cathedral (38,9 km)
Château d'Aon (25,4 km)
Cagnotte Abbey Church (43,6 km)
Lescar Cathedral (48,8 km)

User Reviews

Jean-marc Delmotte (3 years ago)
Une merveille à la pas manquer dans une ville magnifique

Benjamin BIGOT (3 years ago)
Un des plus lieu religieux que j'ai visité, ne paye pas de mine, mais magnifique. Lieu chargé d'histoire, vous pouvez faire une visite guidée ainsi que monté au clochet

Anastasia An (3 years ago)
The Abbey Church of St. Sever is an exceptional place. Take the time to look at the carved capitals, including those dating from the 11-12th century. If it is in July-August, you have the possibility of going up to the bell tower (only 100 steps, rather easy) to have a rather unusual view of the nave, and then of the city from the top of the bell tower. Tours depart three times a day on weekdays.

Christine Valantin (3 years ago)
Excellent guide pationante

Catherine Roy (5 years ago)
It is a very beautiful church which brings to the people who return there a lot of calm and peace. She also receives pilgrims who go to Santiago de Compostela, so that they can meditate on their journey. This passage is indicated on the sidewalks of the city near the abbey.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright CONTROTONO

Historic Site of the week

Clementinum

The Clementinum is a historic complex of buildings in Prague. Until recently the complex hosted the National, University and Technical libraries, the City Library also being located nearby on Mariánské Náměstí. The Technical library and the Municipal library have moved to the Prague National Technical Library at Technická 6 since 2009. It is currently in use as the National Library of the Czech Republic.

Its history dates from the existence of a chapel dedicated to Saint Clement in the 11th century. A Dominican monastery was founded in the medieval period, which was transformed in 1556 to a Jesuit college. In 1622 the Jesuits transferred the library of Charles University to the Klementinum, and the college was merged with the University in 1654. The Jesuits remained until 1773, when the Klementinum was established as an observatory, library, and university by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.