L’abbaye bénédictine de Saint-Thibéry (Hérault)

Abstract

Founded or rebuilt at the end of the VIIIth century by Atilio, a disciple of Benoit d’Aniane, near the grave of three local martyrs, Tibère, Modeste and Florence, the abbey which is located on the site of the ancient city of Cessero, participated in the Carolingian monastic revival in Languedoc. Situated at a major crossroads, the city attracts merchants and pilgrims. In the absence of a cartulary, little is known of the history of the abbey which has never been studied. We don’t know much about the Carolingian and romanesque abbey. Some vestiges of the West aisle which dates back to the XIIth still are enclosed in the Maurist buildings. What remains of important reconstruction campaigns which took place in the XIVth and XVth centuries are the abbey and parish church, an underground chapel and the monumental entrance to the abbey with its massive bell tower. Its adhesion to the Saint-Maur Congregation (1639-1645) will bring new prosperity to the abbey all the buildings of which will be restored. The East wing will be rebuilt between 1664 and 1647, the rest of the abbey between 1705 and 1712. The buildings are sold during the French Revolution and divided between many owners, the church is transformed into a parish church.