The monastery of Cluny was founded in the 10th century by the Duke of Aquitaine, William I the Pious. Construction ended in 1130. Within a few years, the monastery began to enjoy great prestige. He reported directly to the Pope, the congregation grew with the center in Cluny. Soon Cluny turned from a small village into a major religious center. From the walls of the local abbey came 12 cardinals and several popes, including the initiator of the Gregorian reform, Gregory VII. The internal routine of life in the abbey was very strict. Asceticism was welcomed, that is, renunciation of worldly goods. In the 16th century, the abbey was plundered by the Huguenots, and in the 18th century it completely fell into disrepair. The lands of the monastery are divided and sold. With great difficulty, it is possible to save the building of the abbey itself and prevent it from being destroyed. During the French Revolution, it was robbed, burned, and taken to stones more than once. In the 20th century, reconstructions were carried out, but only about 10% of the old basilica was preserved.

Today it is difficult to imagine that it was the largest abbey in France. It is currently open to tourists.

Monastery of Cluny is located 90 km north of Lyon, near the Burgundian city of Macon.

Everyone who is interested in the history of the Middle Ages knows what influence and importance the monastery of Cluny had in the 10th-12th centuries. It can be said without exaggeration that the spiritual revival of Europe began here. After the collapse of Charlemagne's empire in Western Europe the time has come for internecine feudal wars, the sale of church positions, drunkenness and debauchery. But there were always people who were not satisfied with this state of affairs and who wanted to serve God.

In 909, the Duke of Aquitaine William I the Pious gave Abbot Bernon part of his possessions in Burgundy to found a new monastery of Cluny, consecrated in honor of the apostles Peter and Paul. Initially, the monastery of Cluny was to become a model for spiritual rebirth in the West.

The monastery of Cluny was removed from any secular or spiritual authority and submitted exclusively to the Pope. The ancient rule of St. Benedict was introduced in the monastery. In 931, the creation of the Cluniac congregation, the first monastic order in the West, began. The monastery of Cluny received the right to accept into the ranks of its brethren monks from other monasteries who were dissatisfied with the state of affairs in their cloisters. Soon the influence of the Cluniac congregation spread throughout France, Italy, Spain, Poland and part of England. By 1150, the number of monasteries under the influence of Cluny reached 2000.

The monastery of Cluny became a forge of personnel for the Roman Church. 12 cardinals and several popes, including Gregory VII, were Cluniacs. Five of the first nine abbots of the monastery of Cluny were canonized. The monastery of Cluny immediately became an important center of education and pilgrimage. The school for children, the library of the monastery were the largest in Europe.
Pilgrims going to Santiago de Compostella stopped to pray at the relics of St. Peter the Apostle, which were at that time in the monastery of Cluny.

The buildings of the Cluny monastery were striking in their splendor and size. Basilica of Cluny III, built in 1088-1022. had a huge influence on the Romanesque style. The Basilica of Cluny III was the largest in the world until 1550, until the reconstruction of St. Paul's Cathedral in Rome. The basilica was 187 meters long and over 30 meters high.
But already by the 12th century, the influence of the Cluny monastery began to decrease, and other monastic orders began to replace it - primarily the order of the Cistercians.

During the religious wars in the 16th century, the monastery was plundered by the Huguenots. But the French Revolution dealt the worst blow to Cluny. The revolutionaries immediately closed the monastery in 1790, expelled the monks and plundered, and then in 1793 sold the building of the main basilica in parts, for a stone and blew it up. And so that it would not be possible to restore the church, the revolutionary authorities laid a street in the middle of the remains of the basilica building. Thus, more than 100 years before the October Revolution in Russia, the French revolutionaries put into practice what would later be repeated on an even greater scale in Russia.

Today, no more than 10% of the buildings from the Cluny Basilica have survived. This is the Tower and the Chapel, but even this is enough to imagine how grandiose the plan of the medieval masters was, and that only with the help of the Lord in the XII century it was possible to build such majestic structures.

In September 909, the Duke of Aquitaine William I the Pious founded the Benedictine monastery of Saints Peter and Paul on the basis of his villa of Cluny (Department of Saone-et-Loire, France). Abbé Bernon became the first rector. hallmark Cluny was that the monastery was removed from the power of both secular rulers and the local bishop and was directly subordinate to the Pope.

The plan of the monastery of Cluny, which appeared at the end of the Romanesque era, has been reconstructed by archaeologists.

The first abbey temple (Cluny I) was built under Abbot Bernon in 915-927. At the end of the 10th century, under the abbots Mayol and Odilon, the church was completely rebuilt (Cluny II).
The monastery was protected by powerful, fortified walls. The center of the complex was the gigantic Basilica of St. Michael (1088-1150), known as Cluny III, the construction of which was begun by Abbot Hugo (1049-1109).

Pope Urban II consecrates Cluny III

The length of the basilica was 187 m, the height of the main vault, which had a lancet shape, was incredible for its time (31–32 m), which made it the largest church in Europe until the reconstruction of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

The grandiose five-nave basilica had a plan in the form of an archbishop's cross (on the east side, the naves were crossed by two transepts), had a ring bypass of the choir, a crown of five chapels. On the western side, the main part of the building was completed by a long three-aisled narthex - a closed room intended for persons who did not have the right to enter the main room. The church had five towers: two symmetrically located on the main facade, one in the center of the temple and two within the transept. The side aisles were lower, the walls cut through with windows. Sculptures above the portals, on the capitals, frescoes on the walls, which served as models for artists who decorated the branches of the order, an abundance of expensive utensils, complemented the splendor of the temple.

Column capital

The capital of the column depicting trees and rivers of paradise

Capital of a column depicting Abraham, Isaac and an angel

The Church of Cluny served as a model for many architectural structures in Europe.

From the time of Odon, the second abbot, who ruled the abbey in 927-942, Cluny experienced an amazing flowering of spiritual life. Other notable abbots of Cluny in the first two and a half centuries of its history were Saints Mayol, Odilon and Hugo. They initiated the creation of new monasteries or the reformation - in accordance with the ideals of the Cluniac movement - already existing monasteries; these monasteries were subordinate to the Abbey of Cluny. Prior to the establishment of Cluny Abbey, all Benedictine monasteries were independent, but in the era of Cluny, all new cloisters were subordinate to the main abbey. In addition, each new monk of the Benedictine order was required to spend several years in the Cluniac abbey itself. From the point of view of the ancient Benedictine rule, this system was unusual, but it turned out to be an effective tool that made it possible to ensure order and stability in the church in that turbulent period for the history of states and the papacy.

Abbots often became representatives of noble families who were on friendly terms with popes, kings and emperors. The abbots of Cluny had a significant influence on religious and secular politics. From the abbey came 12 cardinals and four popes, including Pope Gregory VII, the initiator of the Gregorian reform. Clergy, kings and emperors were frequent visitors to Cluny Abbey.

Abbot Hugo of Cluniac, Emperor Henry IV and Matilda of Canossus

The abbey of Cluny reached the height of its power under the sixth abbot, Hugh of Semur, who exercised the supreme leadership of a widely branched congregation and the Cluny order in 1049-1109. During this period, Cluniac monasteries arose in abundance throughout France, as well as in England, Germany, Italy and Spain. At St. Peter the Venerable, abbot of Cluny in 1122-1156, the abbey became the second most important center of Christian culture after Rome. The Cluniac congregation included more than 10,000 monks living in 1,100 monasteries.

In Cluny they strictly followed discipline, gave great importance asceticism. Particular attention was paid to the reverent celebration of the liturgy, long prayers. Since silence was encouraged in the abbey, a special sign language developed in Cluny.

In the 12th century, the monastery library had 570 manuscripts and was one of the largest in Europe.

Cluny was perhaps the richest monastery in the Western world, and this allowed him to hire leaders and workers, and the brothers themselves did not do physical work.

Despite their vow of poverty, the Cluny Abbey brothers were able to afford huge sterling silver candelabra and gold chalices inlaid with precious stones for use on altars. Instead of broth and porridge, which were the traditional monastic food, the brothers ate very well, enjoying fried chicken (a luxury in France at the time), wines from their vineyards, and cheeses made by their workers. The brothers wore fine linen habits and fine silk chasubles during Mass. Such wealth enabled the brothers to spend hours in almost constant prayer.

From the 13th century, the congregation began a gradual decline, caused by financial problems, the weakening of monastic morals and the rise of other monastic orders, primarily the Cistercians, another reforming branch of the Benedictines, and the newly created mendicant orders. In the 14th and 15th centuries, monasteries outside of France separated from the Cluniac congregation and moved to other monastic orders based on the Benedictine Rule. In 1516, the King of France won the right to appoint abbots of Cluny, which led to the decline of the monastery and the loss of independence from secular power by the Cluniac congregation.

Chapel of Jean of Bourbon

In the era of subsequent monarchs, Cluny became one of the main beneficiaries: both Richelieu (1585–1642) and Mazarin(1602–1661). Several attempts were made to reform the Cluniac order, but in 1790 it was finally abolished.

Arch built by Cardinal Richelieu when he was Abbé of Cluny

This luxurious apartment was supposed to be a dormitory for the monks, but was completed only before the closing of the monastery in 1790. and the monks did not enter them

The Abbey of Cluny was closed after the French Revolution in 1790, burned and looted by peasants three years later. In 1798, the remains of the abbey were sold and used as a quarry for several decades. Only about 10% of the Cluny III basilica has survived to this day, including the southern bell tower. The surviving buildings were restored in the 20th century.

The sights of France allow you to learn more about the history of this amazing country. The city of Cluny grew up around an amazing Benedictine abbey. The monastery was built back in the 10th century to strengthen the influence of the clergy during a period of some weakening of church power and eventually became an intellectual center in the Middle Ages. At the moment, you can see only the surviving part of it, which is under protection, as a historical monument.

The Abbey of Cluny is located in the heart of the city of Cluny. You can get to the city first by train from Dijon or Lyon to the town of Châlons-sur-Saone or Macon, respectively. Travel time is 40-50 minutes, depending on the train. Ticket price 12.2 €. Then by bus to Cluny. Travel time is 45 minutes to an hour. From Châlons-sur-Saone to the abbey there is bus number 7.

The abbey of Cluny was extremely powerful, the abbots most often became people close to the king or to the Pope. 12 cardinals and four popes studied within its walls. The Basilica of Cluny III was the highest in Europe for about three centuries, until the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. In a word, such sights of France should definitely be visited.

The territory of the abbey is quite large. You will be able to see the preserved buildings of the 17th-18th centuries, the bell tower, the magnificent cloister, the chapel, part of the palazzo, the church, a large garden with a magnificent view and more. Of all the buildings on the territory of the abbey, the most significant is the palace of Jean de Bourbon of the 15th century. A ticket to visit the abbey of Cluny entitles you to visit the palace of Jean de Bourbon, which now houses a museum of art and archeology.

Working mode

In April-May, June and September, the Abbey is open to visitors until 18:00. In July and August until 19:00, and in October and March until 17:00. On holidays: January 1, May 1, November 1, November 11 and December 25 - closed.

It was not just a monastery, but a whole monastic empire, which included 1100 monasteries - from England to Italy and from Portugal to Germany. The Order of Cluny numbered over 10,000 monks.

After the French Revolution, nothing remained of the abbey, except for the bell tower and the chapel.

“Dear Russian edition of the International French Radio. I probably will not surprise you with the fact that I am your old listener and admirer. But I think that clerics do not write to you often. I am a deacon, and I would very much like to hear a story about the French monastic orders. And I would also like you to talk about the first French Christian king in one of the programs “At your request”. Sincerely, Father Anatoly Sirotenko. Clergymen, indeed, they do not write to us often, and I will gladly fulfill both of your requests, Father Anatoly. Today I will talk about Cluniy Abbey.

Cluniac Abbey dates back to the beginning of the 10th century. Then the Holy See decided to carry out a monastic reform, which was based on the Rule of St. Benedict. This rule was established in the 6th century by the father of Western monasticism, Benedict of Nursia. His motto was "Ora et labora" ("pray and work"). The Rule composed by the saints, which prescribes prayer (liturgy), work and study as the most important requirements for monasticism, became a school of righteousness for people who wished to part with worldly life. Saint Benedict was not only the founder of the monastic order that bears his name to this day. He is considered one of the creators of the Christian West. Pope Pius 12 called him the father of Europe. Paul 4 proclaimed him in 1964 the patron saint of the West. Contrary to the general wish, he was not a priest, but only a deacon.

The Abbey of Cluny was founded in Burgundy by Duke Guillaume of Aquitaine in 909 or 910. He was destined for the role of the main monastery of the reformed Benedictine order. The first inhabitants in the newly founded monastery were only 12. The Duke of Aquitaine chose Peter and Paul as patrons of the monastery. And he transferred the newly formed monastery under the patronage of the Holy See. Since then, the Cluniac Order has been subordinate to Rome. In a letter addressed to the Holy Father, Guillaume of Aquitaine wrote: “Providence rules everything, no one argues with that. And if Providence wants a person to become rich, he will become rich if he uses the funds allotted to him correctly. The wealth of man is the liberation of his soul. And I Guillaume, duke by the grace of God, desiring to do what was pleasing to the Lord for my salvation - while there was still time - thought it right to use a part of my wealth for a charitable cause. Trusting in the mercy of Christ and in the love of God and our Savior, I hand over to Peter and Paul the monastery of Cluny with all the land related to it, ”the Duke of Aquitaine wrote to Rome. This letter was also a request to the Holy See to take under its protection this huge estate, to protect it from the claims of secular power. Rome accepted this more than generous gift from the pious Guillaume of Aquitaine.

The first abbot of the abbey, Bernon, died in 927. Beginning with the era of the second abbot Odon, Cluny experienced an amazing flowering of spiritual life. And here it is worth mentioning important detail. According to the charter of the abbey, the monks, of whom, as I said above, at first there were only 12, chose the abbot from among the brothers. This, by the way, was one of the most important points of the Charter of St. Benedict, but the instructions of the founder of the Benedictine order were not followed in the monasteries before the reform. Other notable abbots of Cluny in the first centuries of its history were Saints Mayol, Odilon and Hugh. They worked tirelessly to establish new monasteries in accordance with the ideals of the Cluniac movement. All the monasteries they created over the course of almost three centuries were subordinate to the abbey of Cluny. From the point of view of the ancient Benedictine rule, this system was unusual, but it turned out to be a very effective tool that made it possible to ensure order and stability in the Catholic Church in that turbulent period for the history of European states and the Papacy.

The influence of the abbey was so strong that Cluny got the right to mint its own coin, open schools and collect libraries - in a word, the abbey of Cluny was not only great spiritual, but also cultural center. Cluny reached its peak of power under the sixth abbot, Hugh of Semur, who ruled not just one monastery, but a whole widely branched congregation and the Cluny Order in 1049-1109. During this period Cluniac monasteries sprang up in great numbers throughout France, in England, Italy, Germany and Spain. Under Saint Peter the Venerable, rector of Cluny in 1122-1156, the abbey became the second most important center of Christian culture after Rome. Four Pontiffs emerged from the walls of the Cluniac monasteries, including Pope Gregory 7. So the church reform he carried out was Cluniac. Cluniac Abbey reached its power in the first half of the 12th century. Before the establishment of the abbey, all Benedictine monasteries were independent, but in the Cluny era, all new cloisters were subordinate to the main abbey. In addition, each new monk of the Benedictine order was required to spend several years in Cluny itself.

The main church in Cluny, whose construction began in the 11th and was completed in the 15th century, was one of the largest in the Christian world. It was decorated with magnificent stone carvings and wonderful paintings. In size and splendor, it was second only to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. In Cluny and throughout the order flourished different types arts, including music. The abbey library, which contained many priceless treasures, was partially destroyed by the Huguenots in 1562. It was finally plundered by revolutionary crowds 200 years later - in 1790. The manuscripts that the monks managed to save are now kept in the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris.

After the revolution, nothing remained of the abbey, except for the bell tower and the chapel. In the second half of the last century, part of the abbey was reconstructed according to the drawings found. Not far from the medieval center of Western monasticism is the world famous ecumenical community of Taizé. By the way, Orthodox Christians from Russia often come there. And it has already become a tradition to visit Cluny on the way to Taizé. Yes, and the former abbey itself appeared inhabitants - young French Catholics. So the spiritual life in Cluny continues.