Cîteaux (Cîteaux Abbey)

Cîteaux Abbey, founded in 1098 in France, is the original monastery of the Cistercian order, a Catholic religious community dedicated to a life of prayer, manual labor, and simplicity. Known for its austere architecture and emphasis on self-sufficiency, Cîteaux became a model for other Cistercian monasteries across Europe. The order sought to renew monastic life by returning to stricter adherence to the Rule of St. Benedict, fostering agricultural development and craftsmanship. Today, Cîteaux remains a significant spiritual and historical site, representing a key movement in medieval religious life and monastic reform.