Didier Behr
© Didier Behr
© Didier Behr
A few kilometres from Bitche, the small village of Sturzelbronn is home to an old Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century.
Destroyed in the French Revolution, only a few vestiges remain:
The statue of St Bernard de Clairvaux, founder of the abbey: erected in 1935 at the 800th anniversary of the commeration for the founding of the Cistercian abbey in 1135.
The great gates put in place during the 18th century after the 30 year war, a symbol of the power that the abbey possessed.
The lapidary calendar: one of the more rare and interesting remains of the abbey. Unique in France, this ingenious calendar with its double entry table allows you to calculate the time in weeks and in days that separate Christmas from the 1st Sunday of Lent. It is sealed in the inner entrance of the church.
The tympanum from the old abbey church reflecting the sobriety of the Cistercian artistry.
Other things to see: the pillory reflecting the right to justice served by the monks, a sandstone sarcophgi and the cellar cave.
Destroyed in the French Revolution, only a few vestiges remain:
The statue of St Bernard de Clairvaux, founder of the abbey: erected in 1935 at the 800th anniversary of the commeration for the founding of the Cistercian abbey in 1135.
The great gates put in place during the 18th century after the 30 year war, a symbol of the power that the abbey possessed.
The lapidary calendar: one of the more rare and interesting remains of the abbey. Unique in France, this ingenious calendar with its double entry table allows you to calculate the time in weeks and in days that separate Christmas from the 1st Sunday of Lent. It is sealed in the inner entrance of the church.
The tympanum from the old abbey church reflecting the sobriety of the Cistercian artistry.
Other things to see: the pillory reflecting the right to justice served by the monks, a sandstone sarcophgi and the cellar cave.
Practical information
Historic monument or place to visit in STURZELBRONN, on the theme(s) Sacred art, awarded with the Label Listed historic monument (MH).
Languages spoken
German
Activities
On site
Workshop (adults) Workshop (children)
Visit conditions
Visits
Visit on your own at all times Guided tours with advanced booking Educational tours Signposted footpaths
Groups accepted on reservation Coach parking available
Duration of the visit : 01:30
Contact us
THE OLD CISTERCIAN ABBEY
- 03 87 06 20 15
- rue principale57230 STURZELBRONN
How to get there ?