description Fleury Abbey Overview
Fleury Abbey, also known as the Abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire, is a Benedictine monastery located in Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire in the Loiret department of France. Founded around the year 640, the abbey became a major medieval pilgrimage site after acquiring what were believed to be the relics of Saint Benedict of Nursia in the late 7th century. The current Romanesque church, whose construction began in the 11th century, features an octagonal bell tower and a carved portal. Fleury Abbey was an important center of learning during the Carolingian period, housing a scriptorium and monastic school.
help Fleury Abbey FAQ
Why is Fleury Abbey also called Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire?
The abbey stands in the town of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire and is dedicated to Saint Benedict of Nursia. It is commonly called Fleury after the settlement where the Benedictine community was founded around 640.
Does Fleury Abbey really contain the relics of Saint Benedict?
The monks of Fleury traditionally maintain that relics of Saint Benedict were brought there from Monte Cassino during the early Middle Ages. Monte Cassino also preserves a competing tradition concerning Benedict's remains, so the historical claim remains disputed.
What is special about the tower at Fleury Abbey?
The porch tower is one of the abbey's most celebrated surviving Romanesque structures. Its carved capitals depict biblical scenes, plants, animals, and figures associated with medieval monastic life.
Can visitors enter Fleury Abbey while monks still live there?
Yes, Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire remains an active Benedictine monastery as well as a historic church. Visitors can ordinarily enter the basilica, but the monks' cloistered areas are not part of a normal public visit.
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