Once again looking back into my ce rom vaults found me couple pics that should be in my blog for you and me. This is on Angers , a wonderful city in the dept 49 of Maine et Loire and in the region Pays de la Loire of my belle France. There are some nice buildings here that should be mentioned fully and I take this opportunity to offer me and you this new post . Therefore, here is my take on the Abbey Saint Serge of Angers !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Abbey Saint Serge was founded in the early 7C by the Merovingian kings. The dedication to the Eastern martyred soldier Saint Sergius is due to the spread of his cult in Gaul from the 6C. Little is known about the early history of Saint Sergius, but two events had important consequences. The monastery was briefly under the control of the kings of Brittany, who placed the relics of Saint Brieuc there, A little later at about 897-900, it was handed over to the Bishop of Angers, Rainon, who likely established canons there. Around the year 1000, Bishop Renaud II installed Benedictine monks there. The abbey expanded thanks to the support of the Counts of Anjou. During this time, the church was rebuilt ,and consecrated in 1059, The abbey’s prosperity in the 12-13C allowed for the reconstruction of the choir. Of the 12C works, only the wall of the southern apse (baptistry chapel) remains.
The foundation stone of the convent buildings was laid in 1694 and work was completed in 1726. The Maurists constructed a large edifice whose structures are of noble sobriety: only the eastern façade is broken by the presence of the Colossal Order and a pediment, originally bearing the coat of arms of France (now replaced by a clock). An open space with two galleries, completed in 1734, replaces the traditional plan centered on a closed cloister. The Romanesque nave, probably in poor condition after the Hundred Years’ War, was rebuilt in the mid-15C. It retains the classic Angevin elevation interpreted in the Flamboyant style of the period. The decoration forms a coherent whole: the series of four keystones represents a tree of Jesse, illustrating the announcement of the Incarnation of Christ, Part of the interior decoration has been preserved. The chapter house has curved woodwork around the prior’s pulpit, and in the refectory, vaults rest on lamp bases carved with cherubs. On the first and second floors, accessible by two large staircases housed in the avant-corps, there were twenty-four cells (monks’ lodgings) testifying that the abbey was one of the houses of study for young professed monks in the province of Brittany.
The initial plan was partially reworked during the construction of the current choir, around 1220-1225: six tall columns, more than 8 meters high, support 12 curved vaults of approximately equal height, which cover a space of 21 meters by 14 meters. The lightness of the vaulting contrasts with the austerity of the walls. In the choir, the Risen Christ, in the center, is surrounded in the peripheral bays by nine apostles. Along the longitudinal axis, the welcome of the saved into Abraham’s bosom, the coronation of the Virgin, and the Paschal Lamb. In the north side chapel, Christ of Judgment is sculpted, accompanied by the bull and the lion, symbols of the evangelists Luke and Mark, After the construction of the city wall of Saint Louis, the abbey Saint Serge remained outside the walls and suffered looting during the Hundred Years’ War and the Wars of Religion. In 1629, Saint-Serge was reformed (Congregation of Saint-Maur). In 1790, the thirteen monks were dispersed. After various uses, the convent buildings received the diocesan seminary in 1808. In 1907, following the Separation of Church and State, the latter took over the premises. Currently, the abbey buildings and those of the seminary are assigned to the Joachim-du-Bellay high school, the church still hosting the parish community of the district. The stained-glass windows in the two eastern bays of the choir are windows without figures decorated with interlacing from the 13C; others date from the mid-19C. Thus, this choir demonstrates the originality and culmination of Gothic art in western France. The sacrarium (relic cabinet) and the bell tower (1480) date from this same period. At the very end of the 15C, large altars decorated with statues were erected. Of the various sculpture commissions in the late 16C and mid-17C, only the statue of the prophetess Anne, placed in the transept, remains. The fresco located under the gallery, from the same period, shows Saint Christopher carrying the Child Jesus ,and located near the main entrance.
The city of Angers on the Abbey Saint Serge: https://www.angers.fr/vivre-a-angers/culture/patrimoine/angers-patrimoine/ressources/fiches-patrimoine/laissez-vous-conter-l-abbaye-saint-serge/index.html
The Angers tourist office on the Abbey Church Saint Serge: https://www.destination-angers.com/en/offers/church-saint-serge-angers-en-1617209/
The local Maine et Loire Anjou tourisme on Angers: https://www.anjou-loire-valley.co.uk/eat-stay/anjou-experiences/city-breaks/angers
There you go folks, a nice walk to see some wonderful architectural stunning building in pretty Angers. Enjoy the walk, the best way to see a place, and Angers is no difference. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Abbey Saint Serge of Angers !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, andn many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 