Cluny Abbey, located in Cluny, France, is a former Benedictine monastery that was founded in 910 by Duke William I of Aquitaine. It became one of the most influential religious centers in medieval Europe, known for its strict adherence to the Rule of Saint Benedict and its impressive architectural achievements. The abbey church, once the largest in the world before the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, was a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. Cluny Abbey played a pivotal role in the monastic reform movement, promoting spiritual renewal and the independence of monastic communities from secular authorities.
Planning a trip?