PRESENTATION OF THE EUROPEAN ROUTE OF CISTERCIAN ABBEYS

Council of Europe Cultural Routes

The Cultural Routes programme was launched by the Council of Europe in 1987. Its objective was to demonstrate in a visible way, by means of a journey through space and time, how the heritage of the different countries and cultures of Europe represented a shared cultural heritage.
The Cultural Routes also provide a concrete demonstration of the fundamental principles of the Council of Europe: human rights, cultural democracy, cultural diversity and identity, dialogue, mutual exchange and enrichment across boundaries and centuries

European Route of Cistercian Abbeys

Nine centuries ago, Robert de Molesme founded the "New Monastery" of Cîteaux, according to the precepts of Saint Benedict’s Rule : pray far from the world and live on one’s own work.

Coming from Burgundy in 1098, the Cistercian Order expanded rapidly throughout the European continent, gathering some 750 abbeys (men) and 1,000 monasteries (women).

The Cistercian Order has a rich history that still continues today, at the centre of the evolution of the Roman Church and the European states. The "white monks" have revealed being exemplary builders participating in the development of rural areas, skilled at the most advanced hydraulic and agricultural techniques - through their barns, cellars, mills, foundries - and contributing since the Middle Ages at the development of art, knowledge and understanding in Europe.

The European Route of Cistercian abbeys aims at giving meaning to the Cistercian heritage that we have inherited, through rural tourism of discovery and quality, educational and cultural events and the use of new digital devices adapted to cultural heritage conservation and promotion.

The European Charter of Cistercian abbeys and sites, created in 1998, is an association with a cultural and touristic vocation. The network gathers nearly 200 sites in 11 European countries, opened to the public, properties of local and national governments, privates and cultural associations. Involving a scientific committee composed of researchers, historians and archaeologists, the Charter provides ongoing training and transmission of the Cistercian culture throughout Europe.

Charte européenne des Abbayes et Sites cisterciens
Hostellerie des Dames – F 10310 Abbaye de Clairvaux
Tel/Fax. 33 (0)3 25 27 52 55
E-mail : abbaye.clairvaux@orange.fr
Web : www.cister.net

The Council of Europe Cultural Routes : www.coe.int/routes