Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe

About this place

The Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe is a Roman Catholic church located in Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, in Poitou, France. The Romanesque church was begun in the mid-11th century and contains many beautiful 11th- and 12th-century murals which are still in a remarkable state of preservation. The church is often referred to as the "Romanesque Sistine Chapel" and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. The Abbey Church of Saint-Savin sur Gartempe was an ancient abbey that is thought to have been founded by Saint Benoît d’Aniane under the protection of Charlemagne and his immediate successors, although its early history remains obscure. As you explore, compare the building itself with its decoration and later additions. Differences in materials, forms and imagery can reveal successive periods of patronage, making the visit a way to understand how religious places evolved over time.