Abbaye Notre-Dame de l'Étanche, Medieval Cistercian abbey in Rollainville, France
Abbaye Notre-Dame de l'Étanche is a former Cistercian monastery in the Vosges that extends along the Frézelle river, consisting mainly of 18th century buildings and older preserved structures. The complex includes multiple structures that reflected the monastery's different functions for living, work, and worship.
The monastery was founded in 1148 under the patronage of Duke Matthew I of Lorraine and his wife Bertha. Over centuries it received generous donations from regional noble families, making it one of the area's most important religious institutions.
The abbey was a center of Cistercian spirituality in the Vosges and shaped the religious life of the region for centuries. Its architecture and surviving artworks still reflect the skill and faith of the monks who inhabited it.
The site is often open to visitors, and it is worth paying attention to the preserved remains of various buildings while exploring the grounds. Appropriate footwear is recommended as paths along the river can be uneven.
A remarkably preserved winged altarpiece from the 17th century that originally stood in the abbey church was later moved to Saint-Nicolas Church in Neufchâteau. This ornate work shows the artistic importance the monastery held and how its treasures were dispersed following the Reformation.
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