Saint-Germer-de-Fly Abbey
Saint-Germer-de-Fly Abbey is a former
History
The abbey was originally built in the 7th century by
Towards the end of the eleventh century, the abbey would become the home of Guibert of Nogent, who joined the monastic community there at about the age of twelve, and lived within its walls for thirty years before being elected as abbot of Nogent-sous-Coucy.[2] Guibert's mother, a domineering woman, took up an ascetic life immediately outside the walls also, to remain closely involved in his life.
About 1260, Pierre de Wessencourt, the 25th abbot, built the Marian Chapel at the
The abbey suffered greatly during the Hundred Years' War, losing its western front and six vaults. In 1414 the troops of the Duke of Burgundy destroyed the towers and one bay of the nave. The present west front was rebuilt in the 16th century.
In 1644 the abbey was transferred to the reformed Benedictine
Like all other monasteries of France, Saint-Germer-de-Fly was confiscated as State property during the French Revolution and the abbey buildings were destroyed. After the Revolution, the surviving church became the town's parish church. The northern transept, weakened by the removal of tributary structures, was rebuilt in 1808.
Description
The abbey forms a Latin cross, terminating at the head in a semicircle. The façade is quite plain, in contrast with the rest of the church. The Sainte-Chapelle is a delicate work of Rayonnant Gothic architecture.
-
Triforium of Saint-Germer, drawn byViollet-le-Duc
-
Transition between styles at the connection between the abbey church and the chapel
-
North aisle looking west
Notes
- ^ ISBN 978-3-8331-1038-2.
- ISBN 978-1-101-55270-4.
References
- Romanes.com: Photographs of Saint-Germer-de-Fly (in French)
- Deed of 11 May 1248 of the ordinary of Beauvais regarding the sale of land to the abbey (Latin text and translation into French) (in French)
- Kimpel, Dieter, 1990: L'architecture gothique en France 1130-1270. Paris: Flammarion. ISBN 2-08-010970-7(in French)
External links
- Photos of Sainte Chapelle en Saint-Germer-de-Fly (in Polish)
49°26′35″N 1°46′48″E / 49.44306°N 1.78000°E
.