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Cistercian Architecture Resource:
(The following papers and talks by Abbot Fr. Thomas are in PDF format.)
(The following papers and talks by Abbot Fr. Thomas are in PDF format.)
Cistercian
architecture has traditionally emphasized simp-licity. By means of
clean lines, unadorned stone, the use
of natural light, and the absence of distracting embellishments, Cistercians
have tried to communicate something of the divine nature in their buildings,
and at the same time to create an atmosphere conducive to the search
for God.
This tradition of a spirituality expressed in and nourished by architecture was established by the early Cistercians in their churches and other monastery buildings. Many of these centuries-old structures can still be seen in Europe, some continuing to function in active communities and to echo with the praises sung by twenty-first century monks and nuns, others standing in long abandoned ruins, silent witnesses of a rich heritage.
We are currently in the process of restoring the Chapter House of an ancient Cistercian Gothic Abbey built by monks of our same Order more than 800 years ago in Spain. For more information on this project, please watch the history movie of these 'sacred stones,' or go to www.sacredstones.org.
This tradition of a spirituality expressed in and nourished by architecture was established by the early Cistercians in their churches and other monastery buildings. Many of these centuries-old structures can still be seen in Europe, some continuing to function in active communities and to echo with the praises sung by twenty-first century monks and nuns, others standing in long abandoned ruins, silent witnesses of a rich heritage.
We are currently in the process of restoring the Chapter House of an ancient Cistercian Gothic Abbey built by monks of our same Order more than 800 years ago in Spain. For more information on this project, please watch the history movie of these 'sacred stones,' or go to www.sacredstones.org.
Many
old stones were repaired and then glued to newly cut stones as a method
of preserving as much of the original stone as possible.
Sacred Stones Resource:
(The following papers and talks by Abbot Fr. Thomas are in PDF format.)
(The following papers and talks by Abbot Fr. Thomas are in PDF format.)
P.O. Box 80
Vina, CA 96092-0080 (530) 839-2434