Silvacan ( French: Silvacane ) is a former Cistercian abbey in France , in Provence , located on the eastern outskirts of La Roque d'Anteron in the Durance River Valley. Monument of Romanesque architecture of the XIII century . The monasteries of Silvacan, Senanc and Torone are the three most famous Cistercian abbeys of Provence and are often called the “ three Provencal sisters ” ( French trois sœurs provençales ). The monastery was founded in 1144 , closed in 1443 .
| Monastery | |
| Silvacan | |
|---|---|
| Silvacane | |
 | |
| A country |  France |
| The Department | Bush du Rhone ( Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur ) |
| Denomination | Catholicism |
| Order affiliation | Cistercians |
| Type of | Abbey |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| Established | 1144 year |
| condition | Museum |
History
The Order of the Cistercians was founded by St. Robert of Molema in 1098 , as an order of strict observance of the charter of St. Benedict . Until 1113, the only Cistercian monastery was Sito ( fr. Cîteaux , lat. Cistercium ), which gave the order its name. Since the 20s of the XII century, the order experienced rapid development.
Silvacan Monastery was founded around 1144, unlike the other two “Provencal Sisters”, it belongs not to the Sito branch, but to the Morimon branch. The abbey flourished until the mid-14th century. In 1358, the monastery was looted by an armed detachment from the city of Obignan , from that moment it began to decline. By the middle of the 15th century, the financial problems of the monastery led to its abolition, the remaining monks were transferred to other monasteries. The buildings and the territory of the abbey were transferred to the ownership of the chapel of the Cathedral of Aix , and the monastery church became the usual parish church of the city of La Roque d'Anteron .
In the XVII and XVIII centuries, all the structures of the former monastery except the church were abandoned and gradually destroyed. During the French Revolution, the church and dilapidated buildings were auctioned off and turned into a farm by private owners.
In 1846, at the initiative of the first chief inspector of historical monuments in France, Prosper Merimet, the state bought an abbey church from private individuals, which was declared a historical monument. In the same period, its restoration was carried out. Other buildings of Silvakan remained in private hands until 1949, when they, in turn, were purchased by the state. In the 90s of the XX century, a large-scale restoration of the buildings of the former monastery was carried out.
Currently, Silvakan is open to the public (visits are paid) and is not used for religious purposes. Periodically, cultural events are held on the territory of the former monastery, such as the Piano Music Festival in La Roque d'Anteron, the Silvacan Festival of Vocal Music, etc.
Architecture
Silvacan Church is built in the Romanesque style with a number of Gothic elements. The plan is a basilica with transepts . Its construction went from 1175 to 1230. The interior is characterized by minimalist decorative elements characteristic of a strict Cistercian order.
The chapel room and the rest room in the eastern part of the monastery were built in the 13th century. The cloister , surrounded by galleries with Romanesque arches, also dates from the 13th century. To the north of the cloister is the refectory (end of the 13th century), the architecture of which already contains more Gothic features. The refectory is the most decorative construction of the monastery, which is associated with the weakening at the end of the century of the strict rules of Bernard of Clairvaux .