Sénanque Abbey, France 1148

Sénanque Abbey in France was built with stone in the Romanesque style between approximately 1000 and 1250 AD. Monasteries like Sénanque were the intellectual and spiritual hubs of their regions. Nestled in a remote valley, the abbey's design reflects the Cistercian order's emphasis on simplicity, austerity, and self-sufficiency. The monks who lived here aimed to create a space conducive to prayer and contemplation, separated from the distractions of the outside world. The building’s design reflects not only religious beliefs, but also a socio-political context in which the church wielded considerable power. The architecture proclaims the church's importance in the social hierarchy. Historians consult monastic records, architectural plans, and religious texts to better understand the meanings and uses of such buildings. These resources reveal the complex social and institutional forces that shaped the art of the Romanesque period.