Sainte-Marie du Désert Abbey, Bellegarde-Sainte-Marie, France

Sainte-Marie du Désert Abbey was founded in 1852. It was raised to the status of priory in 1855, and to abbey in 1861. The abbey was founded on the pilgrimage site of Marie Desclassan's tomb, who lived in there eremitic life in 1109-1117.

User Reviews

Brevin Bougouin (7 months ago)
Une halte dans un environnement calme et propice au retour à l'essentiel....

Éric Edolfi (9 months ago)
La quiétude auprès de Dieu

Anne Marie Bento (12 months ago)
La paix du coeur, la paix du corps, la paix de Dieu. ..

Ecuries d'En Cayla (13 months ago)
Magnifique endroit

Loïc Steffan (19 months ago)
L'hôtellerie est propre et confortable. Les repas sont simples mais goûteux. L'abbaye est un havre de paix. Le silence cistercien est un régal. La nature préservée qui jouxte les lieux invite à la prière et la méditation.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Jon Berndt Olsen

Historic Site of the week

Erfurt Synagogue

The Erfurt Synagogue was built c. 1094. It is thought to be the oldest synagogue building still standing in Europe. Thanks to the extensive preservation of the original structure, it has a special place in the history of art and architecture and is among the most impressive and highly rated architectural monuments in Erfurt and Thuringia. The synagogue was constructed during the Middle Ages on the via regia, one of the major European trade routes, at the heart of the historical old quarter very close to the Merchants Bridge and the town hall. Many parts of the structure still remain today, including all four thick outer walls, the Romanesque gemel window, the Gothic rose window and the entrance to the synagogue room.

After extensive restoration, the building was reopened in 2009. On display in the exhibition rooms is an collection of medieval treasures discovered during archaeological excavations. This includes 3,140 silver coins, 14 silver ingots, approx. 6,000 works of goldsmithery from the 13th and 14th centuries and an intricately worked wedding ring of the period, of which only two others are known to exist anywhere in the world. A mikveh (Jewish bath) has been excavated close by (13th/14th century). The Old Synagogue, the Small Synagogue and two Jewish cemeteries together form a network of historical buildings and sites which vividly portray the role of Jewish life in the history of Erfurt.

Do you know an ancient castle or magnificent church near you?

Why not share it with other people interested in history? You can add your own historic sites and attractions to SpottingHistory.com.

It's absolutely free, easy, and doesn't even need registration!

Upload data

Looks like you are a history fan!

Do you know an ancient castle or hidden ruins near you?

Why not share it with other people interested in history? You can add your own historic sites and attractions to SpottingHistory. It's absolutely free, easy, and you can do it even without registration (of course you an also create an free account)!

Sainte-Marie du Désert Abbey

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Best of Middle Rhine Valley, Germany

Must-see historic sighs in Luxembourg

Top historic sights of Istria

Historic Site of the week

Erfurt Synagogue

Looks like you are a history fan!

Do you know an ancient castle or hidden ruins near you?