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Abbaye-aux-Hommes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Abbaye aux Hommes ("Men's Abbey") is a former abbey church in the French city of Caen. Dedicated to Sainte-Etienne, it is considered, along with the neighbouring Eglise de la Ste.-Trinité, Caen, to be one of the most notable Romanesque buildings in Normandy. Built in Caen stone during the 11th century, the two semi-completed churches stood for many decades in competition. An important feature added to both churches in about 1120 was the ribbed vault, used for the first time in France. The two abbey churches are considered forerunners of the Gothic. The two monasteries were finally donated by William the Conqueror and his wife, Matilda of Flanders, as penalty for their marriage against the Pope's ruling. William was buried there (Matilda was buried in the Abbaye aux Dames). From 1804 to 1961, the Abbey was a prestigious high school, the Lycée Malberbe. During the Normandy Landings, inhabitants of Caen found refuge in the Church; on the rooftop there was a cross, made with blood-drenched sheet, to show that it was a hospital (to avoid bombings).
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