The Cistercians: Monks and Monasteries of Europe

by Stephen Tobin

The Cistercian movement swept across Europe in the 12th century, founding monastic movements as it went, and greatly influencing every area of religious and secular life. This is an account of the founding and development of the order, with descriptions of the monastic life. Architectural practice and the design precepts of the monasteries are considered, suggesting reasons why these beautiful, rural retreats have such an enduring appeal. The book provides a guide to all the Cistercian abbeys founded in the Middle Ages, with maps covering the whole of Europe and information regarding the architectural style and accessibility of the abbeys. An appendix gives information on those abbeys which have been converted into hotels, guest houses and restaurants."

Genres: Religion

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[William Nist]

A delightful short book on the history of the Cistercian order with lots of photographs. Although not an academic text, thus avoiding some of the controversies of the first century in the history of this order, the book is thorough enough, and describes not only the general history, but the unique design of the monasteries, and the daily life of its monks. The history is concentrated in the early years, and the nineteenth and twentieth century revival is only lightly illuminated.

[Donna Jo Atwood]

A look at the Cistercians and the monasteries and remains of monasteries.