Cluny Abbey

The monastery was placed under the Rule of Saint Benedict and, from its foundation, came under the direct protection of the Holy See, outside the authority of local powers. This position was confirmed and defined more precisely by Pope John XI’s privilege of 931, which allowed any monk to break his vow of stability with his monastery and move to Cluny, while also confirming the free election of the abbot and the direct protection of the Holy See. This privilege contributed decisively to the expansion of the Cluniac reform.

The early period of Cluny was marked by its great abbots, who turned the abbey into an increasingly powerful and influential monastic centre. Berno was succeeded by Saint Odo (927–942). Maiolus (abbot 954–994) promoted the construction of a new monastic church, Cluny II, built between 963 and 981 to replace the first, which had become too small. During his abbacy, relics attributed to the apostles Peter and Paul arrived at Cluny, reinforcing its appeal as a centre of devotion. Maiolus was succeeded by Saint Odilo (994–1049), who continued the expansion and reform of establishments associated with Cluny. During his long abbacy, the Cluniac network was consolidated and the abbey became one of the principal centres of monastic reform in the West.

Hugh of Semur promoted the construction of a third church, Cluny III or Maior ecclesia. According to tradition, the monk Gunzo, former abbot of Baume, had a vision in which Saints Peter, Paul and Stephen revealed to him the design of a new church of great proportions and entrusted him with persuading Hugh of Semur of the need to build it. Whatever the case, in 1088 the foundation stone was laid for a building of extraordinary dimensions for its time. Its construction was supported by leading political and ecclesiastical figures. In 1095 Pope Urban II consecrated the altars of the new building, which was still under construction, and in 1130 Pope Innocent II solemnly consecrated the church. The complex was subsequently completed with a large narthex, finished around 1220.

The crisis deepened during the later Middle Ages. The Hundred Years’ War affected several Cluniac establishments, while the Wars of Religion also disrupted the mother house. In 1516 the commendatory system was introduced, allowing abbots from outside the community to be appointed and, in many cases, encouraging a lack of interest in the internal management of the abbeys, with the consequent deterioration of community life and revenues. At the same time, various reform attempts were undertaken, similar to those affecting other monastic orders, which also involved the rebuilding and renovation of parts of Cluny’s monastic buildings.

On the south side of the church, the 18th-century cloister survives, together with various monastic buildings. Other structures have also survived, including the Farinier, a Gothic granary where important capitals from the choir of Cluny III are displayed. Farther away stands the so-called Gelasius Palace, named after Pope Gelasius II, who died in exile at Cluny in 1119 and was buried there. The building, which has undergone several restorations, preserves a 14th-century gallery. Some elements of the fortifications surrounding the monastery also survive.