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Founded: 1120Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)
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The Pin Abbey is located by the Boivre River in Béruges, Vienne, France. Founded around 1120 by Géraud de Salles and completed in 1141, it originally followed the Benedictine rule before joining the stricter Cistercian order in 1163 by order of the Bishop of Poitiers.
The abbey prospered in the 12th century, especially under Abbot Pierre Million, former chaplain to Richard the Lionheart. It gained significant privileges like taxing grain trade and controlling its measurement in Poitiers. Over time, it acquired most of Béruges and ran several mills, forges, and even a mine.
From the 16th century, its fortunes declined. The abbey was looted and burned during the 1569 siege of Poitiers. Though restored in 1646, discipline among monks deteriorated. It was sold as national property in 1792, and its furnishings dispersed.
In the 20th century, it became a summer camp and later hosted Scouts and cultural events. In 1993, parts were listed as historical monuments. Since 2011, it has been privately owned and used as a venue for events.
The church architecture reflects typical Cistercian style—spacious yet simple. A crypt under the choir contains a repurposed funerary slab carved with a monk's figure.
The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.
The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.
Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.