ABBAYE DE SYLVANÈS

Founded by the companions of Saint Bernard, the abbey of Sylvanès is the first Cistercian abbey built in Rouergue in the 12th century. The monks were expelled during the Revolution. It has kept half of its buildings: the abbey church which marks the passage from Romanesque to Southern Gothic art, the cloister on ribbed crossings, the former sacristy and scriptorium. Classified as a historical monument in 1854, the abbey was bought by the commune in 1970. More than thirty-five years ago, under the impetus of the association of the Friends of Sylvanès Abbey, led by Brother André Gouzes, a Dominican, and Michel Wolkowitski, and in partnership with all the public authorities and private patrons, the abbey, which was abandoned and largely ruined, was restored and rehabilitated. Today the abbey offers important cultural, spiritual and musical events: an international festival of sacred music, a program of research, training and creations in the service of the liturgy of the sacred arts, training, production and distribution in the fields of vocal music, theater, dance and pictorial arts (school of iconography and mural fresco). Colloquia, meetings and seminars on culture and ecumenical and interreligious dialogue are organized there. The abbey is also an experimental site of artistic education which organizes heritage, cultural and artistic classes for children and young people.