Abbey of Sainte-Trinité

Caen, France

The Abbey of Sainte-Trinité (the Holy Trinity), also known as Abbaye aux Dames, is a former monastery of women. The complex includes the Abbey Church of Sainte-Trinité. The abbey was founded as a Benedictine monastery of nuns 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'), formally the Abbey of Saint-Étienne. The works began in 1062, starting from the rear and finished in 1130. Matilda, who died in 1083, was buried in the choir under a slab of black marble.

The original spires were destroyed in the Hundred Years' War and replaced by less striking balustrades in the early 18th century. The community of nuns were dispersed and suppressed by the French Revolution. In 1823 the local city council decided to transfer the ancient Hôtel-Dieu (possibly also founded by William the Conqueror, but more likely King Henry II of England), to the former cloister for use as a hospital, and 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 for use as a nursing home. The vault was demolished and rebuilt in 1865. The church was last restored between 1990 and 1993.

The façade has two large towers on 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 flanked by pointed arches surmounted by a gallery (triforium) which supports the groin vault, the first of this type built in Normandy (1130). The transept, in the centre of the church, houses the main altar. The northern transept is in Romanesque style, opening over a small apse (the chapel of the 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.

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Address

Rue de Calix 6, Caen, France
See all sites in Caen

Details

Founded: 1062
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Doctor Bastard (7 months ago)
Great visit
Allison Flanary (11 months ago)
Historically fascinating, but not much to see compared to Aux-Hommes down the road. However, I highly recommend coming around 11:30am. The sunlight through the stained glass in the back is incredible, a bright romantic pink. Currently on exhibition around the tomb of Mathilde are embroideries of female saints; curiously missing is Joan, who I thought for sure would merit a place.
Timothy Trun (14 months ago)
Mathilde's tomb is here and this place is eerie and fantastic.
Amanda Cooke (15 months ago)
Beautiful Roman Abbaye in Caen, very much worth the stop in through. Commissioned by Queen Mathilda, wife of William the Conqueror, this (and the Abbeye des Hommes) has a fascinating history. Commissioned essentially to assuage the Pope and religious community regarding their too close marriage (cousins several times removed I believe), Queen Mathilda is nevertheless buried here, at the centre of the church.
Bryan Pready (2 years ago)
Was unable to visit the church because of a funeral service. Didn't find out until we'd walked there from the city centre.
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