Abbey of Sainte-Trinité, Caen

Coordinates: 49°11′11″N 0°21′10″W / 49.18639°N 0.35278°W / 49.18639; -0.35278
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(Redirected from
Église de la Ste.-Trinité, Caen
)

Façade

The Abbey of Sainte-Trinité (

Holy Trinity
).

History

The abbey was founded as a

Benedictine nunnery in the late 11th century by William the Conqueror and his wife Matilda of Flanders as the Abbaye aux Dames ("Women's Abbey"), as well as the Abbaye aux Hommes ("Men's Abbey"), more formally the Abbey of Saint-Étienne. The works began in 1062, starting from the rear, and were completed in 1130. Matilda, who died in 1083, was buried in the choir
under a slab of black marble.

William and Matilda's son,

Horstead, in Norfolk, where Horstead Priory was established by the order, and continued until 1414.[1]

The original spires were destroyed in the

canonesses regular, who had assumed responsibility for the hospital from the two abbeys during the 14th century, established themselves there. The canonesses continued to operate there until 1908 when the facility was given to the Hospice Saint-Louis [fr
] for use as a nursing home.

The vault was demolished and rebuilt in 1865. The church was last restored between 1990 and 1993.

Burials

Architecture

Detail of the abbey's stonework

The façade has two large towers at the sides, each with doors leading to the aisles. The pediment of the central bay echoes the nave roof. The tympanum of the central portal depicts the Trinity and the four apocalyptic beasts, symbols of the Four Evangelists.

The nave is surmounted by a gallery (

Blessed Sacrament) which houses the tabernacle. The southern transept is characterised by Gothic
columns integrated within the Romanesque decoration.

The choir ends with an apse decorated by four columns and a gallery with fantastic figures. Also present is a crypt in honour of Saint Nicholas.

The conventual buildings

References

  1. ^ Page, William, ed. (1906). "118. THE PRIORY OF HORSTEAD". A History of the County of Norfolk. Vol. 2. British History Online. Retrieved 21 December 2013.

External links

49°11′11″N 0°21′10″W / 49.18639°N 0.35278°W / 49.18639; -0.35278