Cassan Abbey, Medieval abbey in Roujan, France
Cassan Abbey in Roujan is a monastery complex combining a 12th-century priory church with an 18th-century palace building. The structures blend Romanesque and classical architectural styles from different periods of construction.
The abbey was founded in 1080 by the Alquier family of Béziers on their donated land. In the 13th century, Pope Innocent III granted it independence from the local bishops.
The abbey was an important burial place for the Trencavel family, viscounts who ruled over Béziers, Carcassonne, Albi, and Razès. This role gave the site special significance as a center of regional power and prestige.
The site is open to visitors from April through October, with longer hours during the summer season. Weekend visits are the main option once October begins.
At its peak, the abbey controlled land across roughly 75 villages, showing how much power it held in the medieval region. This vast territory made it one of the most influential religious institutions of its time.
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