Abbatiale Saint-Sauveur d'Aniane

About

The parish church Saint-Sauveur, a former abbey, is located in Aniane, in the Hérault in France. It is part of the Abbey of Aniane.

Carolingian Foundation: The abbey of Aniane, founded in 782 by Witiza, son of the Count of Maguelone, entered into the orders under the name of Benoît. This aristocrat of Wisigothic origin, a future reformer of the Benedictine order and adviser to Louis le Pieux, first built a basilica dedicated to Notre-Dame (known as Aniane I), soon followed by a basilica of the Saviour (Aniane II), built from 782 and which gave its name to the current building. Charlemagne gave the abbey letters of immunity, and in 792 it became a royal abbey, with more than three hundred monks. Scheduled archaeological excavations have helped locate the buried remains of these Carolingian shrines under the 17th and 18th century constructions. From the medieval abbey founded by Benoît d'Aniane, no vestiges in elevation are visible today.

Destroying and Decline (19th century): After centuries of radiation — during which several Abbés of Aniane...