Built in the 12th century by Knight Pons de l’Héras, Sylvanès Abbey is a Cistercian monastery.
The first remarkable fact is that it was built by a former bandit who had experienced a change of heart; having returned to the straight and narrow, he devoted himself to prayer and penance.
Over the years, the abbey flourished in all areas—religious, social, economic, and cultural—for several centuries, throughout the region and far beyond.
During the Revolution, it was left to ruin; part of it became a farm building, while another part was destroyed and used for building materials.
In 1970, the Mayor of Sylvanès, Mr. Castan, purchased the Sylvanès complex and its archaeological grounds.
In 1975, Father André Gouzes and a group of artists settled on the site and undertook a complete restoration, creating a cultural and spiritual center with the support of the Friends of Sylvanès Abbey association.
Today, Sylvanès Abbey offers an exceptional heritage and an equally exceptional site for culture and encounters. It has also been designated as a “Cultural Center for Encounters,” a highly selective national and European label awarded by the Ministry of Culture and Communication.
A Restored and Exceptional Architectural Heritage
Sylvanès Abbey is striking for its size, offering remarkable acoustics and a lack of decoration.
The cloister, open on three sides, is of remarkable finesse and clarity.
The sacristy, where liturgical objects and books were stored, is partially adorned with 14th-century frescoes that have not yet been restored.
Also worth seeing is the Chapter House, which has been modified numerous times and was converted into a reception hall in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Not to mention the Scriptorium, a magnificent vaulted room built around 1250, and the Logis, of which only the central corridor is currently open to visitors as it houses a collection of sculptures by the Polish artist Auguste Zamoyski (1893–1970).
New stained-glass windows are soon expected to illuminate Sylvanès Abbey.
A wide-ranging cultural program
Not content with offering a restored, world-class heritage site, Sylvanès Abbey is also a renowned cultural center. It hosts a festival of sacred music and world music, international gatherings, a cultural center for cultural exchanges, spiritual gatherings, workshops and residencies, and vocal training…
Sylvanès Abbey
12360 Sylvanès
Tel.: 05 65 98 20 20
Translated with DeepL.com
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