List of Cistercian monasteries explained

The Cistercians are a Catholic religious order of enclosed monks and nuns formed in 1098, originating from Cîteaux Abbey. Their monasteries spread throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, but many were closed during the Protestant Reformation, the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII, the French Revolution, and the revolutions of the 18th century. Some survived and new monasteries have been founded since the 19th century.

There are a certain number of medieval monasteries and other Cistercian buildings (salt factories, watermills) that are abandoned or ruined, or converted into hotels such as Monasterio de Piedra or St. Bernard de Clairvaux Church.[1] [2]

Cistercian monasteries are divided into those that follow the Common Observance and the Strict Observance (Trappists). There are currently nearly 169 Trappist monasteries in the world, the home of approximately 2500 Trappist monks and 1800 Trappist nuns.[3]

Europe

France

See main article: List of Cistercian abbeys in France.

AbbeyTypeFoundedLocationClosedRe-establishedDetails
Cîteaux AbbeyTrappist1098Saint-Nicolas-lès-Cîteaux, Côte-d'Or17911898Latin Cistercium, from which the Order's name derives.
Pontigny Abbey11141843Second of the four great daughter houses of Cîteaux; refounded by the Fathers of St. Edmund
Clairvaux Abbey1115Third of the four great daughter houses of Cîteaux; founded by St Bernard
Morimond Abbey11151791Fourth of the four great daughter houses of Cîteaux
Mazan Abbey1120
Abbey of Loc-Dieu11231793
Le Thoronet Abbeyca. 1150sBrignoles1785
Silvacane Abbey1144La Roque d'Antheron1443
Abbey of Sénanque1148Gordes
Our Lady of the SnowsTrappist1850Saint-Laurent-les-Bains, Ardèche
Lérins Abbey1869Île Saint-HonoratFounded on the site of a monastery established by Saint Honoratus ca. 410.
Bonneval AbbeyTrappist nuns1147Le Cayrol, Aveyron17911875Bonneval means Good Valley.

Great Britain and Ireland

See main article: List of Cistercian abbeys in Britain and List of Cistercian abbeys in Ireland.

See also: List of monasteries dissolved by Henry VIII of England.

Belgium

AbbeyTypeFoundedLocationClosedRe-establishedDetails
Aulne Abbey637 - 1147Thuin1794Important ruins
La Cambre Abbey1196Ixelles
Hemiksem Abbey1243Hemiksemca. 17951836 in Bornem
Herkenrode AbbeyNuns1182Kuringen1797
Orval AbbeyTrappist1132Gaume17931935The Orval Brewery produces two well known Trappist beers
Ten Duinen Abbey1107–1138Koksijde and Bruges1796The Abbey was moved from Koksijde to Bruges in the 17th century
Villers Abbey1146Villers-la-Ville1796Impressive ruins
Westmalle AbbeyTrappist1794–1836Westmalle
Bornem AbbeyBornemsuccessor of Hemiksem Abbey

Central and Eastern Europe

AbbeyTypeFoundedLocationClosedRe-establishedDetails
Common Observance1132Stična, Slovenia17841898http://www.sticna.eu
Jędrzejów AbbeyCommon Observance1140Jędrzejów, Poland18191945
Wągrowiec (formerly Łekno) AbbeyCommon Observance1153Wągrowiec, Poland1835
Sulejów AbbeyCommon Observance1176Sulejów, Poland18191986http://www.sulejow.cystersi.pl
Wąchock AbbeyCommon Observance1179Wąchock, Poland18181951http://www.wachock.cystersi.pl
Mogiła AbbeyCommon Observance1222Kraków, Polandhttp://www.mogila.cystersi.pl
Szczyrzyc AbbeyCommon Observance1224Szczyrzyc, Polandhttp://www.szczyrzyc.cystersi.pl
Zirc Abbey1182Hungaryca. 15401701http://www.ocist.hu
Igriș Abbey-1179Romania1551-
Cârța Monastery-1205-6Romania1474-
Kołbacz-1210Poland1347-
Kutjevo1232Croatia
Bélakút Abbey-1235Vojvodina, Serbia1688-
Krzeszów Abbey1242Poland

Scandinavia

AbbeyTypeFoundedLocationClosedRe-establishedDetails
Alvastra Abbey1143Östergötland, Sweden1544Ordered torn down by Gustavus I in 1544
Nydala Abbey1143Småland, Sweden15292008Three Vietnamese monks arrived on 6 June 2008
Lyse Abbey1146Norway1537
Hovedøya Abbey1147Oslo, Norway1532Burned prior to the Reformation
Varnhem Abbey1150Västergötland, Sweden1566
Julita Abbey1160Södermanland, Sweden1527
Esrum Abbey1151 by Archbishop Eskild & Bernard of ClairvauxZealand, Denmark (Sjælland)After The Reformation 1536
Sorø Klosterkirke1161 by Bishop AbsalonZealand, Denmark (Sjælland)ca. 1580Founded by monks from Esrum Abbey
Vitskøl Abbey1158 by Archbishop EskildJutland, DenmarkAfter The Reformation 1536Founded by monks from Esrum & Varnhem, Sweden
Løgum Abbey1173 by Bishop Stefan(Finished in 1325)Jutland, Denmark1548[4] Burned in 1190 and therefore finished 1325
Roma Abbey1164Gotland, SwedenBefore 1531Founded by monks from Nydala Abbey
Tautra AbbeyTrappist1207Norway15371999
StamsundCommon ObservanceLofoten Islands, NorwayRecently established

Germany

Abbey Type Founded Location ClosedRe-establishedDetails
Himmerod AbbeyMonks1134 by Bernard of ClairvauxGrosslittgen2017https://www.abteihimmerod.de/
Lehnin Abbey1180Lehnin1542http://www.klosterkirche-lehnin.de/
Bebenhausen AbbeyMonks1187Bebenhausen1535https://www.kloster-bebenhausen.de/en/home
Heiligkreuztal MonasteryMonks1227Heiligkreuztal1803https://www.klosterheiligkreuztal.de/start
Lichtenthal AbbeyNuns1248Baden-Badenhttp://www.abtei-lichtenthal.de/
Maulbronn MonasteryMonks1147 Maulbronn, Baden-Württemberg1648https://www.kloster-maulbronn.de/start
Porta CoeliNuns1630; 1647Himmelpforten1634
Salem AbbeyMonks1136 Salem, Baden-Württemberg (near Lake Constance)1802
Waldsassen AbbeyNuns1133Waldsassen, Bavaria (near Czech border)1863http://www.abtei-waldsassen.de/
Zinna Abbey1170Jüterbog1553http://www.kloster-zinna.com/index.php

Austria

AbbeyTypeFoundedLocationClosedRe-establishedDetails
Heiligenkreuz AbbeyCommon Observance1133Heiligenkreuz, Lower Austriahttp://www.stift-heiligenkreuz.org/
Lilienfeld AbbeyCommon Observance1202Lilienfeld, Lower Austriahttp://www.stift-lilienfeld.at/
Rein AbbeyCommon Observance1129Near Gratwein, Austriahttp://www.stift-rein.at/
Stift StamsCommon Observance1273Imst District, Austrian state of Tyrol, near Innsbruck1807, 1939 1816, 1946http://www.stiftstams.at/?lang=en
Zwettl AbbeyCommon Observance1138Zwettl, Lower Austriahttp://www.stift-zwettl.at/

Czechia

AbbeyTypeFoundedLocationClosedRe-establishedDetails
Sedlec Abbey1142(Near) Kutná Hora, Bohemia1783
1144Plasy, Bohemia1785
1199Osek, Bohemiahttp://www.klaster-osek.info/
Porta coeli ConventNuns1233Předklášteří near Tišnov, Moravia1782, 19501901, 1990http://www.portacoeli.cz/
Vyšší Brod Monastery1259Vyšší Brod, Bohemia19411989http://www.klastervyssibrod.cz/
Zbraslav Monastery1292Zbraslav, today in Prague, Bohemia1785
Nový Dvůr MonasteryTrappist2002Near Toužim, Bohemiahttp://www.novydvur.cz/
Klášter Naší Paní nad VltavouTrappist nuns2007Křečovice, Bohemiahttp://www.trappistevitorchiano.it/storia-fondazioni-nasi-pani-cz.asp

Italy

AbbeyTypeFoundedLocationClosedRe-establishedDetails
1131Abbadia Cerreto, Lombardy
Certosa di Pavia1396Certosa di Pavia, Lombardy
Chiaravalle Abbey1135Milan, Lombardy
Morimondo Abbey1134Morimondo, Lombardy
Piona AbbeyColico, Lombardy
Rovato AbbeyRovato, Lombardy
Viboldone Abbey1176San Giuliano Milanese, Lombardy
Santa Maria Arabona1209Manoppello, Abruzzo1587
Santa Maria Casanova1191Villa Celiera, Abruzzo1807
Santa Maria della Vittoria1277Scurcola Marsicana, Abruzzo1550
Santi Vito e Salvo1247Villa Celiera, Abruzzo1453
Santo Spirito d'Ocre1248Ocre, Abruzzo1692
S. Maria di Chiaravalle di FiastraCommon Observance1142Urbisaglia15811985http://www.abbadiafiastra.net/
Monastery of CalabromariaAltilia di Santa Severina1784
Abbazia di San Giusto, TuscaniaCommon Observance1146Tuscania1460?2012https://web.archive.org/web/20130607043624/http://www.abbaziadisangiusto.it/

Spain and Portugal

AbbeyTypeFoundedLocationClosedRe-establishedDetails
Santa María la Real, Fitero1141Fitero, Spain1835
Santa María de la Oliva1134Carcastillo, Spain18351927
Poblet Monastery1151Catalonia, Spain18351940sListed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1991
Monastery of Alcobaça1153PortugalListed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1989
Convento de Santa Maria do Bouro1195Portugal
Casbas Monastery1196Casbas de Huesca, Aragon, Spain2004Previously a Benedictine community; in 1196 it became Cistercian
Monasterio Santa María de Valdediós1200Asturias, Spainhttp://www.valdedios.org
Real Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de Rueda1202Ebro, Spain1835Includes important hydrological works from the Middle Ages, including a dam on the Ebro and a massive waterwheel or "rueda", which diverted some of the river flow to a Gothic aqueduct for distribution to various parts of the monastery.
, Villamayor de los MontesBurgos, Spain
Our Lady of Bujedo de Juarros AbbeyBurgos, Spain
Monastery of Santa María la Real de las Huelgas1187Burgos, Spain
Monasterio de Santa María de Solius1967Girona, Spain

North America

Canada

AbbeyTypeFoundedLocationDetailsWebsite
Abbey of Notre-Dame du LacTrappist1881Oka, Quebec
Notre Dame du Calvaire AbbeyTrappist1902Nouvelle-Arcadie, New Brunswick
Notre-Dame de l'Assomption AbbeyNuns (Trappist)1904Nouvelle-Arcadie, New Brunswick
Abbey of Notre-Dame-de-NazarethMonks1932Rougemont, Quebechttps://www.abbayederougemont.org/histoire.php
Abbey of Notre-Dame du Bon ConseilNuns (Trappist)Saint-Benoît-Labre, Quebec
Monastery of Notre-Dame de MistassiniTrappistDolbeau-Mistassini
Our Lady of the Prairies AbbeyTrappistHolland, Manitoba
Abbey Val Notre-DameTrappistSaint-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec

United States

AbbeyTypeFoundedLocationDetailsWebsite
Abbey of GethsemaniTrappist1848Trappist, KentuckyHome of Thomas Mertonhttp://www.monks.org
New Melleray AbbeyTrappist1849Peosta, IowaMake wooden coffins.http://www.newmelleray.org/
Our Lady of Spring Bank AbbeyCommon Observance1920sSparta, WisconsinClosed 2011. Supported itself with financial investing, real estate, forestry and rental of farmland. It also operated "Laser Monks", which provided recycled laser toner and ink jet cartridges.[5]
Monastery of the Holy SpiritTrappist1944Conyers, Georgiahttp://www.trappist.net/
Mount Saint Mary's AbbeyNuns (Trappist)1949Wrentham, MassachusettsDaughter house of St. Mary's Abbey (Glencairn, Waterford).https://web.archive.org/web/20100325232141/http://abbey.msmabbey.org/
Mepkin AbbeyTrappist1949Moncks Corner, South CarolinaLumber, egg production, and dairy in the past. Now they produce shiitake and oyster mushrooms.http://mepkinabbey.org
Assumption AbbeyTrappist1950Ava, Missourihttp://www.assumptionabbey.org/
Holy Cross AbbeyTrappist1950Berryville, Virginiahttp://www.hcava.org
St. Joseph AbbeyTrappist1950Spencer, MassachusettsFounded as Our Lady of the Valley Abbey in Central Falls, Rhode Island in 1900. Moved 1950 after a fire destroyed most of their buildings.[6] They brew and produce incense.https://web.archive.org/web/20080103040145/http://www.spencerabbey.org/index.html
Abbey of the GeneseeTrappist1951Piffard, New Yorkhttp://www.geneseeabbey.org/
Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist AbbeyTrappist1955Lafayette, OregonThe community moved from the abbey at Pecos, New Mexico (founded 1948) to Oregon, where farming gave higher yields.http://www.trappistabbey.org/
Abbey of New ClairvauxTrappist1955Vina, Californiahttp://www.newclairvaux.org/
St Benedict MonasteryTrappist1956Snowmass, Coloradohttp://www.snowmass.org/
Valley of Our Lady MonasteryNuns (Common Observance)1957Prairie du Sac, WisconsinThe first Cistercian nunnery in the United States, founded by nuns from the Swiss Abbey of Frauenthal.http://www.valleyofourlady.org/
Our Lady of Dallas AbbeyCommon Observance1958Irving, TexasFounded from the Cistercian monastery of Zirc in Hungary. Runs the Cistercian Preparatory School in Irving, TXhttp://www.cistercian.org/abbey/index.html
Our Lady of the Redwoods AbbeyNuns (Trappist)1962Whitethorn, CaliforniaFounded from the Cistercian monastery of Nazareth in Belgium.http://www.redwoodsabbey.org/
Our Lady of the Mississippi AbbeyNuns (Trappist)1964Dubuque, IowaDaughter-house of Mt. St. Mary Abbey in Wrentham, Massachusetts.https://web.archive.org/web/20080514203338/http://www.mississippiabbey.org/Home
Santa Rita AbbeyNuns (Trappist)1972Sonoita, Arizonahttps://web.archive.org/web/20080430023254/http://www.santaritabbey.org/index.html
Our Lady of the Angels MonasteryNuns (Trappist)1987Crozet, Virginiahttp://www.olamonastery.org/

Australia and New Zealand

AbbeyTypeFoundedLocationDetailsWebsite
Tarrawarra AbbeyTrappist1954Victoria, AustraliaFounded from Ireland. Since 1998 Tarrawarra has had a daughter house in Kerala, India: Kurisumala Ashram.https://web.archive.org/web/20060628093511/http://home.vicnet.net.au/~tarabbey/
Southern Star AbbeyTrappist1954Kopua, New ZealandThe Abbey is situated on a dairy farm between Dannevirke and Takapau, Central Hawke's Bay.http://www.kopuamonastery.org.nz/

South America

Brasil

Asia

Vietnam

AbbeyTypeFoundedLocationDetailsWebsite
Abbatia B.M.V. de SS. Corde IesuCommon ObservanceMY–CA
Abbatia B.M.V. de Phước SơnCommon ObservancePHƯỚC SƠN
Monastère de Châu SơnCommon ObservanceCHÂU SƠN NHO QUAN
Abbatia B.M.V. de Châu Sơn ĐDCommon ObservanceCHÂU SƠN ĐƠN DƯƠNG- LÂM ĐỒNG
Abbatia Purissimi Cordis B.M.V. de Phước LyCommon ObservancePHƯỚC LÝ
Abbatia B.M.V. de Châu ThủyCommon ObservanceCHÂU THỦY
Abbatia B.M.V. de Thiên PhướcCommon ObservanceTHIÊN PHƯỚC
Monastère de Phước VĩnhCommon ObservancePHƯỚC VĨNH
Monastère de An PhướcCommon ObservanceAN PHƯỚC
Monastère N.-D. de Vĩnh-PhướcCommon ObservanceVĨNH PHƯỚC
Monastère N.-D. de Phước HảiCommon ObservancePHƯỚC HẢI
Abbatia B.M.V. de Phước ThiênCommon ObservancePHƯỚC THIÊN

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. de Ange . Angie . 2007 . Oldest Building in the West . Orange & Blue . College of Journalism & Communications . University of Florida . 2009-01-03 . The St. Bernard de Clairvaux Episcopal Church, known as North Miami Beach’s Ancient Spanish Monastery, it is one of the oldest buildings in the Western Hemisphere. . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100624115900/http://www.jou.ufl.edu/pubs/onb/s07/index.php?id=51 . 2010-06-24 .
  2. Book: Carlson, Charle . Weird Florida . April 2005 . Barnes & Noble . 978-0-7607-5945-5 . 136 .
  3. http://www.ocso.org/HTM/net/faq-eng.htm#chi FAQ-eng
  4. Web site: Kirche zu Løgumkloster. de. Church of Løgum Abbey. Die Nordschleswigsche Gemeinde. November 18, 2022.
  5. Web site: Good Works: Monks build multimillion-dollar business and give the money away . Rob Baedeker . . March 24, 2008 .
  6. Web site: Saint Joseph's Abbey . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110822143705/http://www.spencerabbey.org/history.html . 2011-08-22.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of Cistercian monasteries".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.