Location:
France
Coordinates:
46.4344, 4.6592
Events at Cluny (26)
910
ID: 5443
September 11, 910
Abbey of Cluny founded by William I, Duke of Aquitaine, who donates land for a monastery to be placed directly under papal authority, free from local secular and ecclesiastical control
ID: 5443
927
ID: 5444
Odo becomes second abbot of Cluny, begins major expansion of Cluniac reform movement throughout Europe
ID: 5444
942
ID: 5454
November 18, 942
Saint Odo of Cluny dies; as second abbot he spread Cluniac reform to monasteries throughout France and Italy, establishing Cluny's network of dependent priories
ID: 5454
948
ID: 5445
Mayeul becomes fourth abbot of Cluny, continues expansion and increases monastery's influence
ID: 5445
972
ID: 5455
Saint Mayeul of Cluny captured by Saracens in Alps, miraculously freed after ransom; event leads to expulsion of Saracen stronghold at Fraxinetum
ID: 5455
994
ID: 5446
Odilo becomes fifth abbot of Cluny, introduces All Souls' Day (November 2) for commemoration of all faithful departed
ID: 5446
998
ID: 5460
Pope Gregory V confirms Cluny's complete exemption from all authority except the Pope, making it independent of bishops and secular rulers
ID: 5460
1000
ID: 5459
Cluny develops elaborate liturgical practices with nearly perpetual prayer - monks spend up to 8 hours daily in choir, influencing Western liturgy
ID: 5459
1027
ID: 5456
Saint Odilo of Cluny promotes the Truce of God movement, forbidding warfare on certain holy days - spreads from Cluny throughout France
ID: 5456
1040
ID: 5463
Cluny establishes extensive charitable operations, feeding thousands of poor annually and providing hospitality to pilgrims on route to Santiago de Compostela
ID: 5463
1049
ID: 5447
Hugh the Great becomes sixth abbot of Cluny, begins his 60-year abbacy - longest in Cluny's history
ID: 5447
1050
ID: 5462
Cluny's scriptorium produces magnificent illuminated manuscripts, spreading Cluniac artistic style throughout European monasteries
ID: 5462
1050
ID: 5467
Cluny develops innovative agricultural practices and becomes major wine producer, with estates throughout Burgundy supporting the monastery
ID: 5467
1050
ID: 5468
Cluny becomes major pilgrimage site housing relics of Saints Peter and Paul, attracting thousands of pilgrims annually
ID: 5468
1073
ID: 5461
Pope Gregory VII (Hildebrand), influenced by Cluniac ideals, begins Gregorian Reform to eliminate simony and enforce clerical celibacy
ID: 5461
1077
ID: 5465
King Alfonso VI of Castile brings Cluniac monks to Spain, doubling annual tribute to Cluny and spreading Cluniac reform in Iberian peninsula
ID: 5465
1080
ID: 5464
Cluny's library becomes one of largest in Europe with over 570 manuscripts, making it major center of learning and theological study
ID: 5464
1088
ID: 5448
Construction begins on Cluny III, the third abbey church - will become largest church in Christendom until St. Peter's Basilica
ID: 5448
1095
ID: 5449
November 25, 1095
Pope Urban II, former prior of Cluny, consecrates the high altar of Cluny III during his journey to preach the First Crusade
ID: 5449
1100
ID: 5458
Cluniac order reaches peak with over 1,000 monasteries and 20,000 monks across Europe, all under direct authority of Abbot of Cluny
ID: 5458
1120
ID: 5457
Saint Hugh of Cluny canonized by Pope Calixtus II; credited with numerous miracles and making Cluny the most powerful monastery in Europe
ID: 5457
1125
ID: 5466
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux criticizes Cluny's wealth and elaborate liturgy in his 'Apologia', sparking debate between Cluniac and Cistercian reform ideals
ID: 5466
1130
ID: 5450
Cluny III completed - becomes the largest church building in Europe (187 meters long) until reconstruction of St. Peter's in Rome
ID: 5450
1156
ID: 5451
Peter the Venerable dies; as ninth abbot of Cluny he commissioned first Latin translation of the Quran and defended monastery against Cistercian criticism
ID: 5451
1790
ID: 5452
Abbey of Cluny suppressed during French Revolution; monks expelled and buildings begin to be sold as national property
ID: 5452
1798
ID: 5453
Systematic demolition of Cluny Abbey begins; locals use it as stone quarry - eventually only 10% of original structure survives
ID: 5453