Bellevaux Abbey

Daughter monasteries

Monastery Luetzel Monastery Rosières Monastery of La Charité Monastery Montheron Cistercian Monastery of Daphni Monastery Laurus

The monastery Bellevaux (Bella Vallis ) is a former Cistercian abbey in the town of Cirey in Canton Rioz; Arrondissement of Vesoul, Haute- Saone, Franche-Comté region, in France, around 28 kilometers south of Vesoul, in Chambornay -lès- Bellevaux, near the river Ognon. The monastery is not to be confused with the Cistercian monastery Bellevaux at Lausanne in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.

History

The monastery was founded in 1119 as the first daughter house of the Abbey Primary Mori Moon, on the initiative of Pontius from the family of the lords of La Roche- sur- l'Ognon which were important founders simultaneously. Probably the first, many years abbot Pontius was a member of this family, and perhaps son of the founder of the same name. The foundation has not been settled as other Cistercian monasteries in the Barrens, but on old cultivated land in the vicinity of two villages. The monastery developed quickly, and the great monastery church was consecrated in 1143.

Bellevaux was the first and most important Cistercian abbey in Franche -Comté. It was the mother monastery of Kloster Lucelle, Rosières Monastery, Monastery of La Charité ( Franche -Comté ), Monastery Montheron in the Swiss canton of Vaud and the Cistercian Monastery of Daphni in Greece. With the latter, Otto de la Roche had "his" family monastery established in his new sphere of activity in the east where Daphni as Bellevaux was to the family grave lay. The monastery Bellevaux owned several Gran Gien and a hospice with a basement in the Rue Battant in Besançon. It also operated several mills and forges in the Ognon Cirey. The Norman cider apple tree was introduced by Bellevaux monastery in the free county.

The second abbot of Bellevaux, Burchardus, was known for his literatischen skills; receive is a detailed treatise on beards, which is well developed in the early 1160er -Jahren. Archbishop Peter II of Tarentaise (1102-1174), who during his lifetime had the reputation of the Miracle Healer died in Bellevaux and was buried in the monastery church. A lively cult of his relics began already before his canonization in 1191, and held until the fall of the monastery to.

The monastery flourished in the 12th and 13th centuries. 1289 sealed King Rudolf of Habsburg in Bellevaux a certificate. In the 14th century resulted in epidemics and wars in the decimation of the monastic community and economic difficulties. A recovery followed under the reign of Charles V and Philip II. , The wars between Spain and France brought the monastery in the 17th century to the brink of destruction. 1603 was one of only five monks, the abbey, in 1650, the Prior was waiting alone. Under French rule, the quiet late period began. The monastery was to come, that is, the abbot was used by the king, normally resided elsewhere and moved out of the revenues of the monastery significant payments. In the later 18th century, the community of monks was 4-5, including Prior, who were cared for by about a dozen employees. Lay brothers, there was no more, and the extensive, far-flung possessions were leased for cash and in kind donations.

The 1790 Revolution brought the end of the monastery; 1791 arrived furniture and building up for auction. In 1795 Bellevaux was purchased and occupied by General Jean -Charles Pichegru. 1817 bought Dom Eugène Huvelin ( 1742-1828 ), a former monk from the monastery of Sept- Fons, with two converse the same monastery, the system and founded a new Cistercian convent of strict observance, who joined the Trappists in 1830. However, the monks moved to the attack in the July Revolution of 1830 back to Switzerland. Today, this community lives in Savoy monastery Tamié. The Trappists sold the monastery of financial difficulties, later attempts to repurchase it failed. 1837 Bellevaux was acquired by the family of the Counts of Ganay and henceforth referred to as "The Castle". The last owner ( and longtime residents ) from this family was the renowned garden historian Ernest de Ganay ( 1880-1963 ). ( 1967 "Foyer culturel de Bellevaux "; 1957 " Centre fédéral des Coeurs Vaillant's " 1978 " Centre d'animation régional de Bellevaux " ), the buildings were used for summer camps since 1957, under a multi- institution renamed. Since 1994 Bellevaux is privately owned again.

Buildings and plant

The monastery has the by the Cistercians often preferred valley. An existing stream was channeled to discharge of the effluent was diverted to a system of small aboveground channels for irrigation. The orientation of the buildings followed the topography of the valley; so the church was not oriented to the east, but to the southeast.

Is only slightly visible from the medieval site. The foundation walls and floor remains of the Romanesque monastery church are preserved just below the earth's surface today, has as a small scale archaeological exploration in 1986 shown. Her figure, however, is neither reliable nor documented archaeologically explored. Late construction documents show three vaulted naves and three altars in the choir area. Because of the very numerous documented tombs and the topographical situation of a significant size can be assumed. On the above picture on the left are the three medieval, originally emanating from the choir and the transept of the church passages visible ( from front to back ): Access to the sacristy, access to the stairs to the bedrooms of the monks, access to the cloister. Obtained are scattered fragments of architectural sculpture (including keystones and arched ribs) and numerous medieval grave slabs. The cloister was formed as the probing has shown an exact square. Especially in the cloister area medieval structure was in the new building of the 18th century included ( shown above in today's kitchen). Before the main entrance came in 2012 with line work, a wall with door jambs to the fore, with threshold level of approximately 1.4 m below the present ground level.

All existing now building ( main and convent building, in the image; laundry / wine cellar, outbuildings / stables, entrance gate ) Go to the extensive building activity under the last abbot Louis -Albert de Lezay - Marnésia back ( Abbot of Bellevaux 1731-1790 ). 1741 a new abbot's house was planned, but not built. Around 1760, various construction and renovation works were undertaken. The farm buildings, formerly with stables, coach houses and fruit pouring is dated 1762. In 1777 it was extended to the gate way; this area has changed in the time of the Trappists (1817-1830) again and included a chapel and guest rooms. An expansion and renovation in 1970 has changed his character strong. The monumental entrance gate bears the date in 1764. Especially in the wooded area south west of the remains of the perimeter wall are obtained.

The striking, the valley dominant convent building (pictured) was rebuilt in 1786-1788 to significantly raised ground level. The responsible architect was Joseph Cuchot from Besançon; Stuckierungen, wood paneling, locksmith and stone carvings were also partially carried out by artists from Besançon. From the same period one opposite the kitchen located, elongated and built into the hillside building dates with a large sink, a bakery (ovens do not get ) and the walk-in wine cellar (now with modern windows ).

Well immediately after the auction in 1791 began the demolition of the church or the sale of their building materials. 1830 is still described as " dreary ruin ". Following the sale by the Trappists, the last remnants of the abbey church and buildings were ( at least since the 17th century, the abbot's house ) worn on the back of the cloister. Thus, the system got its present appearance. In the main building, with its today angular floor plan, a wing of the cloister are completely and partially preserved. Today's main front (see picture) is asymmetric: in the 18th century, an additional window on the left axis was probably pre- faded the transept of the church.

Obtained are in large part the complex, in the second half of the 18th century comprehensively restored water systems of the monastery with a long underground sewer and a smaller freshwater canal. Open water channels were used for watering the garden areas. The water to date a prolific source within the former exam (the main drinking water supply of the monastery ), which is said to have dedicated to Saint Peter of Tarentaise, was attributed healing powers for centuries, especially for eye diseases.