Monastery of Cluny

The Monastery of Cluny, founded in 910 in eastern France, was a major center of monastic reform during the Middle Ages. It initiated the Cluniac reform movement, emphasizing prayer, community life, and artistic expression. Cluny became influential in promoting a more centralized and uniform practice of monasticism across Europe. At its peak, the monastery controlled hundreds of affiliated abbeys, making it a significant religious and cultural hub. Its architecture, including the grand Cluniac churches, influenced Gothic design. Cluny's legacy endures in its contributions to spirituality, art, and the shaping of medieval European society.