Abbey of Citeaux

The Abbey of Cîteaux, founded in 1098 in France, is the birthplace of the Cistercian monastic order, which emphasized a simple, austere lifestyle focused on manual labor and contemplative prayer. Cistercians sought to return to the original rules of monastic life, promoting agriculture and self-sufficiency. The abbey's influence spread throughout Europe, establishing many daughter houses and playing a key role in the medieval church's reforms. Cîteaux remains a symbol of monasticism, embodying principles of humility, community living, and devotion to God through work and prayer. Its legacy continues in modern Cistercian communities.