Grande-Sauve Abbey Facts for Kids

Grande-Sauve Abbey

Grande-Sauve Abbey, also called Sauve-Majeure Abbey, was once a large Benedictine monastery. It is located near the village of La Sauve in the Gironde area of France. This region used to be covered in thick forests.

Even though the abbey is now mostly in ruins, its old buildings are very interesting. They show great examples of Romanesque architecture. You can still see many carved stone capitals (the tops of columns).

In 1998, the abbey ruins became part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This site includes parts of the Way of St. James, a famous pilgrimage route to St. James of Compostela.

History of Grande-Sauve Abbey
What Happened After the Abbey Closed
Gallery
See also

History of Grande-Sauve Abbey

Abbey entrance

The abbey of Grande-Sauve was started in 1079 by a man named Gerald of Sauve-Majeure. He built it on a spot called Hauteville, between two rivers, the Garonne and the Dordogne. Gerald was also the first abbot, or head, of the monastery.

Its name comes from Silva Major, which means "great forest." This forest covered the whole area known as the Vignoble de l'Entre-Deux-Mers. The land was a gift to Gerald from Duke William VIII of Aquitaine.

The abbey grew quickly with help from the duke, the Pope, and many generous people. Even the kings of England and France supported it. The abbey was on the route to Santiago de Compostela. It became a starting point for pilgrims.

Abbot Gerald died in 1095 and was buried at the abbey. Pope Celestine III made him a saint in 1197. The main church we see today was officially opened in 1231.

Grande-Sauve Abbey followed the Rule of St. Benedict, similar to Cluny Abbey. However, it was not part of the Cluniac Order. During the Middle Ages, it was a very rich and powerful place. It owned 51 smaller monasteries, called priories, including one in England.

Eleanor of Aquitaine, a powerful queen, often stayed there. The abbey's wealth and power were so great that it was a rival to the city of Bordeaux. However, this wealth also attracted bandits and groups like the Basques and Navarrese, who attacked and robbed it many times. The people of La Sauve village also often rebelled against the rich monks.

The abbey was damaged during the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) between France and England. It was repaired and made stronger in the 1500s. But around this time, the abbey's special rights and power were challenged. Its money problems also grew. From then on, the abbey slowly became less important.

Abbey ruins

Later, the monks joined a group called the Congrégation des Exempts. In 1667, they became part of the Congregation of St. Maur.

In 1665, a big storm badly damaged the roofs of the church, sleeping areas, and dining hall. The bell tower also collapsed in the late 1600s. In 1759, an earthquake further weakened the church building.

What Happened After the Abbey Closed

During the French Revolution, the abbey's property was taken away and sold. From 1793, the remaining buildings were used as a prison. The church roof fell in during 1809. For the next 40 years, the abbey's stones were used as a quarry for the village of La Sauve.

In 1837, the archbishop bought the site. A Jesuit college was built there, which later became a school for teachers. But in 1910, a fire destroyed the school, and the site was left empty again. From 1914 to 1918, the remaining buildings were used as a small military hospital.

In 1960, the French government bought the site. They worked to make the ruins stable and safe. Today, the site is open to the public. It is managed by the Centre des Monuments Historiques.