Abbaye Saint Jean des Vignes - Soissons, France
N 49° 22.544 E 003° 19.418
31U E 523492 N 5469275
[FR] L'abbaye Saint Jean des Vignes est l'édifice le plus spectaculaire de la ville de Soissons. [EN] Soissons abbey is a treasure that houses other treasures.
Waymark Code: WM7MQV
Location: Hauts-de-France, France
Date Posted: 11/10/2009
Views: 12
[FR] Fondée en 1076, l'abbaye acquiert très vite une grande renommée. Dès le XIIIème siècle, période d'épanouissement, des travaux d'agrandissement et d'aménagement sont entrepris : les pierres de l'édifice roman sont réutilisées pour la construction des nouveaux bâtiments gothiques.
A cette période, l'abbaye était un grand centre monastique spirituellement et l'un des plus riches du Moyen Age économiquement.
La construction de l'ensemble conventuel s'étale jusqu'en 1565, on aura aussi pris la peine de construire des fortifications pour l'abbaye en 1359, puis de les intégrer à celles de la ville au XVIIème.
Puis, tout doucement, l'abbaye perd de son aura et de son influence pour tomber en désaffection !
Un décret de 1805 ordonne la démolition de l'église afin de récupérer les pierres pour la restauration de la cathédrale... Seule la façade sera épargnée !
Le cloître est amputé... Il ne reste que deux galeries du XIVème. Le réfectoire et le cellier sont de très beaux témoignages de la splendeur passée ; aujourd'hui le "logis des hôtes" et l'infirmerie abritent le centre départemental d'archéologie.
[EN] Standing tall above the erstwhile capital of France, it is one of the Middle Age’s richest abbeys. Pause to admire its superb façade, followed by the refectory and the cloister. Venture inside, take the stairs up to the old granaries, and learn about the techniques that were used to build the Gothic vaulted ceilings!
Only ruins remain, of which the west front is still one of the most spectacular pieces of architecture in the town.
The abbey was founded on St. John's hill in 1076 by Hughes Le Blanc for a community of Augustinian Canons.
Initially built in Romanesque style, the first buildings were replaced at the end of the 12th century by those visible today. The west front was begun in the 12th century, although not finished until the 16th. The refectory and cellar date from the 13th century, parts of the cloisters from the end of the 13th century, while other parts are from the 16th century, as is the abbot's lodging.
When the abbey was suppressed during the French Revolution the premises were put to use for military purposes, and an arsenal was added.
The site was acquired by the town of Soissons in the 1970s and the remaining buildings are now occupied by educational and heritage-related bodies.
Full name of the abbey/monastery/convent: Abbaye Saint Jean des Vignes
Address:
Abbaye Saint-Jean-des-Vignes
Soissons, France
02200
Religious affiliation: Saint Augustine
Date founded/constructed: 1076
Web Site: [Web Link]
Status of Use: Restored Ruin
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