Saint-Ruf Abbey

In Avignon, it is worth to take a look at the ancient Saint-Ruf Abbey located on the Moulin Notre-Dame Street recognized as a historical monument back in 1887. The monks the Order of St. Augustine founded in the XI century lived in the Abbey. (True, now the building is not in the best condition, it is partially destroyed).

This state of the architecture of the abbey can be explained for several reasons: the destruction were mainly the result of the secularization of the Order, and the last abbots gave orders to demolish the building.

The first written mention of the abbey dates back to 1039.

The lower part of the bell tower was built at the time of the fragile sandstone, strengthening it with hewn stone (of which the top of the bell tower was completely built). The choir consists of a polygonal apse with two semicircular church aisles placed around it. The central part of the abbey building is decorated with 3 semi-circular arches.

After the excavation conducted here by scientists-archaeologists it was found out that at the site of this Abbey there originally was the burial place of early Christians.

It is also known that in the 12th century the Abbey (which is patronized by the Popes and the Counts of Barcelona) was one of the main centres of Gregorian reform.

(The postulates of this reform spread to actually every country in Europe; Christians in Southern Germany and Southern France, the Iberian Peninsula and the Scandinavian countries have become its followers).

The impact of the Abbey increased while the monastic order of St. Ruf was created. (This Order inconsiderable in number later was moved to Valence).

The rare mention of Avignon Abbey in the historical records can be explained by the fact that in general the value of this order was not of great significance.