16th century Citeaux, perspective view (engraving)

Cîteaux Abbey (French: abbaye de Cîteaux) is a Catholic abbey located in Saint-Nicolas-lès-Cîteaux, south of Dijon, France. Today it belongs to the Order of the Trappists, the Cistercians of the Strict Observance; the Cistercian order takes its name from this mother house of Cisteaux, near Nuits-Saint-Georges. The abbey has about 35 members. Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... An abbey (from the Latin abbatia, which is derived from the Syriac abba, father), is a Christian monastery or convent, under the government of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serve as the spiritual father or mother of the community. ... Saint-Nicolas-lès-Cîteaux is a commune in the Côte-dOr département, in France. ... Location within France Street in the centre of Dijon Dijon (   pronunciation?) is a city in eastern France, the préfecture (administrative capital) of the Côte-dOr département (county) and of the Bourgogne région. ... The Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, or Trappists, are a Roman Catholic religious order, and follow the Rule of St. ... The Order of Cistercians (OCist) (Latin Cistercenses), otherwise Gimey or White Monks (from the colour of the habit, over which is worn a black scapular or apron) are a Catholic order of monks. ... Nuits-Saint-Georges is a town and commune of the Côte-dOr département, in France. ...

History

Main article: Cistercians.

The abbey of Cîteaux was founded in 1098 by Saint Robert of Molesme, who became the first abbot, under the rule of Saint Benedict. Cistercians coat of arms The Order of Cistercians (OCist) (Latin Cistercenses), otherwise Gimey or White Monks (from the colour of the habit, over which is worn a black scapular or apron) are a Catholic order of monks. ... Events First Crusade: end of the siege of Antioch. ... A painting of the founders of Citeaux, showing saints Robert, Alberic, and Stephen Harding venerating the Blessed Virgin Mary. ... Abbots coat of arms The word abbot, meaning father, has been used as a Christian clerical title in various, mainly monastic, meanings. ... St Benedict of Nursia (c. ...

Saint Bernard, a monk of Cîteaux Abbey, left it to found Clairvaux Abbey in 1115, of which he was the first abbot. His influence in the Cistercian order and beyond is of prime importance, and he is probably the best known personality in the Cistercian Order. He reaffirmed the importance of strict observance to the rules of Saint Benedict. Bernard of Clairvaux, illustrated in A Short History of Monks and Monasteries by Alfred Wesley Wishart, 1900 Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, abbot and theologian (born 1090, at Fontaines, near Dijon, France; died at Clairvaux, August 21, 1153), is considered a Saint by the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches, and is... Clairvaux abbey (Clara Vallis in Latin) was founded in 1115 by St. ... Events Clairvaux Abbey is founded by St. ...

The great church of Cîteaux, begun near 1140, was completed in 1193. The Dukes of Burgundy would be buried there. Events Henry Jasomirgott was made count palatine of the Rhine. ... Events Saladin dies, and the lands of the Kurdish Ayyubid dynasty of Egypt and Syria are split among his descendants. ... The following is a list of the Dukes of Burgundy Richard of Autun, the Justicier (880–921) Rudolph of Burgundy (king of France from 923) (921–923) Hugh the Black (923–952) Gilbert of Chalon (952–956) Odo of Paris (956-965) Otto-Henry the Great (965–1002) Otto-William...

The influence of the Cistercian Order was growing, owing much to Saint Bernard, and at the beginning of the 13th century the order had more than 500 houses. Cîteaux was then an importance center of Christianity. In 1244, King Louis IX of France (Saint Louis) and his mother Blanche of Castile visited the abbey. Events Sultan Malik al-Muattam razes city walls. ... Only representation of Saint Louis known to be true to life - Early 14th century statue from the church of Mainneville, Eure, France King Louis IX of France or Saint Louis (April 25, 1214/1215–August 25, 1270) was King of France from 1226 until his death. ... Blanche of Castile (1188-1252), wife of Louis VIII of France, third daughter of Alfonso VIII, king of Castile, and of Eleanor of England, daughter of Henry II, was born at Palencia. ...

During the Hundred Years' War, the monastery was pillaged in 1360 (the monks sought refuge in Dijon), 1365, 1434 and 1438. A map of Europe in the 1430s, at the height of the Hundred Years War The Hundred Years War is the name modern historians have given to what was actually a series of related conflicts, fought over a 116-year period, between the Kingdom of England and France; beginning in... Events October 24 - The Treaty of Brétigny is ratified at Calais, marking the end of the first phase of the Hundred Years War. ... Events Foundation of the University of Vienna Births John de Ros, 6th Baron de Ros (died 1394) Thomas de Mowbray, 1st Duke of Norfolk (died 1399) Deaths May 17 - Louis VI the Roman, elector of Brandenburg (born 1328) July 27 - Duke Rudolf IV of Austria (born 1339) Categories: 1365 ... Events May 30, Battle of Lipany in the Hussite Wars Jan van Eyck paints the wedding of Giovanni Arnoflini The Honorable Passing of Arms at the bridge of Obrigo The Portuguese reach Cape Bojador in Western Sahara. ... Events Pachacuti who would later create Tahuantinsuyu, or Inca Empire became the ruler of Cuzco January 1 - Albert II of Habsburg becomes King of Hungary March 18 - Albert II of Habsburg becomes King of Germany Eric of Pomerania, King of Sweden, Denmark and Norway loses direct control of Sweden. ...

In the beginning of the 16th century, the abbey was a strong community of about 200 people. The abbey was badly hit by the French Wars of Religion. The abbey then slowly declined for the next century. In 1698, the abbey only had 72 professed monks. (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... The French Wars of Religion were a series of conflicts fought between Catholics and Huguenots (Protestants) from the middle of the sixteenth century to the Edict of Nantes in 1598, including civil infighting as well as military operations. ... Events January 4 - Palace of Whitehall in London is destroyed by fire. ...

In 1791, during the French Revolution, the abbey was seized and sold by the government. 1791 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... During the French Revolution (1789-1799) democracy and republicanism replaced the absolute monarchy in France, and the French sector of the Roman Catholic Church was forced to undergo radical restructuring. ...

In 1898, the remains of the abbey were bought back; it was repopulated by monks of other abbeys. 1898 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

Current activities

The monks, faithful to a tradition of manual work, sell their products to the public: the well reputed Cîteaux cheese, but also honey candies and caramels.

Related links

• Official site (in French)
• History of Cîteaux Abbey (in French)