Lagrasse Abbey

The abbey of Sainte -Marie de Lagrasse is located in the French town of Lagrasse in the Aude department in the Languedoc- Roussillon region, about 30 km south-east of Carcassonne.

The previous building, a simple monastery, whose founding date is unknown, was 779 on behalf of Charlemagne from the first abbot Nebridius, later the Archbishop of Narbonne, was reconstructed.

The Abbey was the first religious center in the Languedoc. Therefore, it was under the special protection of the Emperor. The acquired through donations possessions of the abbey ranged from Albi in the north to Zaragoza in the south.

During the 12th and 13th centuries, during the Crusade against the Cathars, the abbots of Sainte -Marie played a balancing role. Thanks to the efforts of Abbot Benoît d' Alignan the cities of Béziers and Carcassonne were able to make peace with the Church and King Ludwig, who was found return the favor.

From the originally rich interior of the Abbey, are some fragments of an earlier portal, which are attributed to the Master of Cabestany ( a name unknown sculptor of the 12th century ) or his workshop.

However, from the 13th to 15th centuries, the abbey experienced a period of decline, caused by the Hundred Years' War. The abbey church was therefore protected in the 14th century under Abbot Auger de Gogenx by still recognizable fixtures against looting and attacks from the outside.

In the 16th century Abbot Philippe de Lévis began with the construction of a large bell tower, but remained unfinished after his death in 1537.

1721 Armand Bazin de Bezons, who later became Bishop of Carcassonne, a benefice in Lagrasse. The monastery was fundamentally transformed by his initiative. A Court of Honor was erected, added new convent building and created a cloister in the classical style. Thus, the Abbey of Lagrasse to this day is one of the few monasteries, are united harmoniously with the medieval and Classical styles.

1792, during the French Revolution, in spite of the resistance of the population, the monastery was closed and the monks were expelled. The buildings were looted and sold.

Only in 1894 could be a small community of nuns in the buildings down again. To the present day there are religious life in the monastery.

Gallery

Apses of the church

Overall view

Neoclassical cloister