The Abbaye aux Hommes ("Men's Abbey") is a former abbey church in the French city of Caen. Dedicated to Saint Etienne, it is considered, along with the neighbouring Abbaye-aux-Dames, to be one of the most notable Romanesque buildings in Normandy.
Built in Caen stone during the 11th century, the two semi-completed churches stood for many decades in competition. An important feature added to both churches in about 1120 was the ribbed vault, used for the first time in France. The two abbey churches are considered forerunners of the Gothic. The original Romanesque apse was replaced in 1166 by an earlt Gothic chevet, complete with rosette windows and flying buttresses. Nine towers and spires were added in the 13th century. The interior vaulting shows a similar progression, beginning with early sexpartite vaulting (using circular ribs) in the nave and progressing to quadipartite vaults (using pointed ribs) in the sanctuary.
The two monasteries were finally donated by William the Conqueror and his wife, Matilda of Flanders, as penalty for their marriage against the Pope's ruling. William was buried there (Matilda was buried in the Abbaye aux Dames). From 1804 to 1961, the Abbey was a prestigious high school, the Lycée Malberbe. During the Normandy Landings, inhabitants of Caen found refuge in the Church; on the rooftop there was a cross, made with blood-drenched sheet, to show that it was a hospital (to avoid bombings).
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Last updated on Friday May 16, 2008 at 05:01:55 PDT (GMT -0700)
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