Roma Abbey Ruins, Romakloster, Sweden

Roma Abbey was built in 1164 by Cistercian monks. The monks established a religious and agricultural centre for the entire Baltic Sea region. After the Reformation in the early 16th century, the monastery was abandoned. It was then under the Danish Crown. The monastery building was partly demolished and the church was used as a stable. In 1645, through the peace treaty in Brömsebro, Gotland became Swedish again.

In 1733, County Governor Johan Dietrich Grönhagen, build a new stately residence, using material from the old monastery in the construction. No major changes have been made since then. It was used as the residence for the County Governor until 1822. Today impressive ruins are well known for the Shakesperian plays that are performed here every summer.

References:

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User Reviews

Anders Lindgren (3 years ago)
In the summer, this place is a outdoors theatre. The old monastery ruins is usually part of the scenery. Going here other parts of the year is a pleasant experience.

TheEvdriver (3 years ago)
A very nice and romantic ruin of a cloister. It has a quite long tradition as a summer theater. This makes some rooms not visible for tourists. But on the other hand it provides steady income for renovations and running costs. Shops were pricey, therefore the visit outside and in the manor was free. Cafe was nice, good cake.

Bernard Morey (3 years ago)
You can spend anywhere between an hour and a whole day here. The ruins are scenic and there is an interesting museum. I think there is a tourist train to Roma but don't hold me to that. There are pleasant walks in the vicinity. It's off the tourist trail so there probably won't be many people about during the week.

Debbie Lundahl (3 years ago)
Good show and environment....

Valter Albin (3 years ago)
Saw a great play here! Its a wonderful scene for a summer showing.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Martin M. Miles

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Abbey of Saint-Étienne

The Abbey of Saint-Etienne, also known as Abbaye aux Hommes ('Men"s Abbey'), is a former monastery dedicated to Saint Stephen (Saint Étienne). It is considered, along with the neighbouring Abbaye aux Dames ('Ladies" Abbey'), to be one of the most notable Romanesque buildings in Normandy. Like all the major abbeys in Normandy, it was Benedictine.

Lanfranc, before being an Archbishop of Canterbury, was abbot of Saint-Etienne. Built in Caen stone during the 11th century, the two semi-completed churches stood for many decades in competition. An important feature added to both churches in about 1120 was the ribbed vault, used for the first time in France. The two abbey churches are considered forerunners of the Gothic architecture. The original Romanesque apse was replaced in 1166 by an early Gothic chevet, complete with rosette windows and flying buttresses. Nine towers and spires were added in the 13th century. The interior vaulting shows a similar progression, beginning with early sexpartite vaulting (using circular ribs) in the nave and progressing to quadipartite vaults (using pointed ribs) in the sanctuary.

The two monasteries were finally donated by William the Conqueror and his wife, Matilda of Flanders, as penalty for their marriage against the Pope"s ruling. William was buried here; Matilda was buried in the Abbaye aux Dames. Unfortunately William"s original tombstone of black marble, the same kind as Matilda"s in the Abbaye aux Dames, was destroyed by the Calvinist iconoclasts in the 16th century and his bones scattered.

As a consequence of the Wars of Religion, the high lantern tower in the middle of the church collapsed and was never rebuilt. The Benedictine abbey was suppressed during the French Revolution and the abbey church became a parish church. From 1804 to 1961, the abbey buildings accommodated a prestigious high school, the Lycée Malherbe. During the Normandy Landings in 1944, inhabitants of Caen found refuge in the church; on the rooftop there was a red cross, made with blood on a sheet, to show that it was a hospital (to avoid bombings).

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