Abbey of St. Martin

Laon, France

The Abbey of St. Martin, established in 1124 in Laon in northern France, was one of the earliest foundations of the Premonstratensian Order. Along with Cuissy Abbey and Floreffe Abbey it counted as one of the primarii inter pares, or senior houses, of the order.

The Premonstratensian community was founded by Barthélemy of Jur, bishop of Laon, in co-operation with Saint Norbert of Xanten, who settled it with twelve canons from Prémontré Abbey. It took over the site of an earlier college of canons regular, established in the Carolingian period, which had fallen into decay.

It was dissolved in the French Revolution. The church of St. Martin in Laon, dating from mid to late 12th century, is still in use as a parish church. The former monastic buildings were converted into a hospital in 1810.

References:

Comments

Your name



Address

Rue Saint-Martin 66, Laon, France
See all sites in Laon

Details

Founded: 1124
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Jean-Louis Cheveaux (3 years ago)
A historical monument of Laonnois heritage to visit absolutely.
Jean Jacques Apchain (4 years ago)
Cool
Edson Arantes (4 years ago)
Beautiful place with a history being part of the CHU of the city of LAON and used as a VACCINATION space; with a very welcoming, dynamic and friendly staff. All my gratitude. Best regards
Eddy Khoo (4 years ago)
The abbey is closed to the public when we visited Laon. If it had been open, perhaps a higher rating could be accorded. However, the external architecture is interesting. Amazed is the word when it is still standing after 900 years.
Dave Sillence (5 years ago)
An imposing gothic church / abbey in the attractive town of Laon in France. Well worth a visit.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.