An Abbey Road Trip Trivia Quiz

The Abbey of Saint Gall, found in north-eastern Switzerland, traces its origins back to a hermitage founded by the Irish monk Gallus in 612 AD. It was formally established as a monastery around 719 AD by Saint Othmar. In the late 1700s, most of the medieval monastery was demolished and rebuilt in the late Baroque style, resulting in the structures seen today.

Its historical importance stems primarily from its magnificent library and scriptorium (where monks would copy, transcribe, and illuminate manuscripts) which preserved and produced invaluable manuscripts. The library collection includes over 160,000 books and a vast number of medieval manuscripts, some over a thousand years old, which offer insight into early medieval European culture.

The library also boasts a unique, 9th-century plan of Saint Gall, the only surviving major architectural drawing from the early Middle Ages. This detailed plan represents an ideal layout for a Benedictine monastery and is considered a Swiss national treasure.

The first large church on the site of Westminster Abbey in London, England, was built by King Edward the Confessor in the 1040s AD and consecrated in 1065 AD. King Henry III ordered the demolition of most of the old church to build the present Gothic abbey, starting the new construction in 1245 AD. There have been several additions over the years, including one in 1503 AD when King Henry VII added a lavish Lady Chapel.

For over 950 years, the Abbey has been the site of every coronation of English and British monarchs since William the Conqueror in 1066. It is also historically linked to the British monarchy as it has hosted numerous royal burials (including 30 kings and queens) and at least 16 royal weddings. There are also over 3,000 famous people buried here including in Poet's Corner, where many authors lie.

Westminster Abbey also figures in architectural importance. The structure is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and is renowned for its breath-taking height and soaring vaulted ceilings. The Henry VII Lady Chapel is a prime example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture and it features an extraordinary, intricate fan-vaulted ceiling considered one of the wonders of medieval architecture.

The San Fruttuoso Abbey is in the Italian Riviera near Genoa, Italy. It was founded by the Order of Saint Benedict at the end of the 10th century AD, with most of its buildings dating to that time. The sea-facing wing, for which it is frequently associated, was constructed in the 13th century AD and modelled on the design of the aristocratic palaces of Genoa.

Historically, it has close, long-standing ties to the noble Doria family who played a significant role in the political, military, and economic life of the Republic of Genoa. The powerful Doria family adopted the abbey as their private burial ground in the 13th century AD, contributing to its prosperity and commissioning the Torre Doria watchtower in 1562 AD to defend against pirates.

Architecturally, the main structure features Romanesque elements like a bell tower and round arches. The abbey is uniquely integrated with its natural surroundings, built on the beach with parts carved into the rock face itself. In 1954 AD, an underwater statue of Jesus, the Christ of the Abyss, was erected in the bay of San Fruttuoso right in front of the abbey.

Pannonhalma Archabbey, in western Hungary, was founded in 996 AD as Hungary's first Benedictine monastery by Prince Géza. The foundations of the church that stands today were laid in 1224 AD. Because of the exceptional architectural evolution of the abbey over its 1000-year history and its historical importance as an international cultural and religious center, the abbey and its surroundings were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996 AD.

The abbey was strategically built on a hill known as the "Sacred Mount of Pannonia", the supposed birthplace of Saint Martin of Tours. It immediately became a vital center of medieval culture and learning. Its library is a highlight, housing over 400,000 volumes, including rare manuscripts. It holds the 1055 Founding Charter of the Tihany Abbey, which contains the earliest known written words and phrases in the Hungarian language.

The core structure includes a 13th-century Basilica (St. Martin's Basilica) and crypt, built in an early Gothic style. Major renovations and additions in the 17th and 18th centuries introduced magnificent Baroque elements, such as the impressive refectory featuring optical illusion paintings. Finally, the main tower was added in the early 19th century in a Classicist style.

Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey is located on a tidal island in Normandy, France. Legend says Bishop Aubert was instructed by the Archangel Michael in 708 AD to build a sanctuary on the mount. An initial oratory was built shortly after. Construction of the current, larger abbey church began in 1023 AD. Final additions were completed in 1523 AD.

During the Middle Ages, the abbey was a renowned intellectual hub and pilgrimage destination, with monks producing and illuminating numerous manuscripts and preserving ancient Greek texts, earning it the nickname "City of Books". Historically, it also stood as a French military stronghold against England in the Hundred Years' War as its unique position, surrounded by high tide, gave it a powerful advantage.

The abbey showcases a blend of pre-Romanesque, Romanesque, and Flamboyant Gothic styles with the buildings wrapped around the granite peak. To support the massive weight of the structures, the builders engineered a complex system of supporting crypts and chapels that are also integrated into the rock face itself.

Orval Abbey is a Cistercian abbey in southern Belgium located near the French and Luxembourg borders. A precursor to the abbey was established around 1070 AD and then in 1132 AD, Cistercian monks arrived, and the abbey was built. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries. It is also very well known for the production of its acclaimed Trappist beer.

The name "Orval" (French for "Golden Valley") stems from a founding legend: Countess Mathilda of Tuscany, a medieval noblewoman, is said to have lost her wedding ring in a spring and, after it was returned by a trout, declared the place worthy of a monastery. It is known for its resilience as it has been gutted by fire, damaged during wars, and suffered a total destruction in 1793 AD at the hands of French Revolutionary troops. A brewing tradition of the Trappist monks was revived in 1931 AD to finance the rebuilding, leading to the renowned Orval Trappist beer sold today.

Orval Abbey is architecturally unique, having both the atmospheric ruins of the medieval and 18th-century buildings and a functioning 20th-century monastery. The foundations of the original structures feature remnants of 12th and 13th-century walls. The new abbey incorporates a modern aesthetic feel that emphasizes simplicity and functionality while blending with the environment.

Located in southwestern England, Glastonbury Abbey was built around 700 AD by the West Saxon King. King Edgar had the church significantly enlarged in the 10th century AD, and Abbot Dunstan implemented the Benedictine Rule around this time. Sadly much of this Glastonbury Abbey was destroyed in a great fire in 1184 AD, and a new Great Church was constructed and consecrated in 1213 AD. Glastonbury Abbey would continue to thrive for a few more centuries, only to finally be dissolved by King Henry VIII in 1539 AD.

Historically, it is a place of legend. It is claimed the abbey was founded in the 1st century by Joseph of Arimathea, who supposedly brought the Holy Grail to Britain. While historically unsubstantiated, the myth helped establish Glastonbury as a premier pilgrimage site. It was a vital intellectual and economic hub and by 1086 AD it was the richest abbey in England. Another legend abounded later in 1184 AD when monks there announced they had discovered the graves of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere (again unsubstantiated).

The surviving ruins showcase a blend of architectural styles, including Romanesque and Gothic elements. The 14th-century Abbot's Kitchen is one of the most intact and finest medieval kitchens in Europe. The fragmented stonework of the great church, including the remnants of the central tower piers, is set on 36 acres of parkland.

The original Cluny Abbey was founded in 910 AD in Cluny, southern Burgundy, France, by William I, Duke of Aquitaine. The abbey, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, was notable for its strict adherence to the Rule of St. Benedict. A second much larger church was built between 1088 AD and 1130 AD, which was the largest church in Western Christendom for over 400 years.

Its historical importance lies in its role as the birthplace of the "Cluniac Reforms". This was aimed at restoring the traditional, strict monastic life and that the monastery would report directly to the Pope, not a local lord or king. The abbey was a center of learning and the arts. Its library housed a vast collection of manuscripts, contributing significantly to medieval scholarship. The abbey established All Souls' Day (November 2nd), a feast still observed today.

The third abbey church, Cluny III (completed around 1130), was an architectural wonder and the largest church in the world until the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome in the 16th century. The use of pointed arches in the nave vaults helped distribute weight, enabling the addition of large windows that brought light into the space.

Göttweig Abbey is located in Lower Austria overlooking the Wachau Valley near the town of Krems. It is situated on a hill and is a prominent landmark in the region. The abbey was founded in 1083 AD as a community of clerics and later transitioned to Benedictine rule in 1094 AD. After a major fire in 1718 AD, the abbey was rebuilt in the Baroque style of architecture.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the abbey was a significant seat of learning with a monastic school and library. Its library holds over 150,000 books and manuscripts, alongside valuable collections of engravings, coins, and musical archives. Also historically, the abbey's focus was on pastoral care and outreach rather than being totally contemplative. It still remains very connected to the local community and also is famous for producing its own apricot jams and wines.

The current building is an example of High Baroque architecture on a large scale. The monumental Imperial Staircase is considered one of the largest and most beautiful Baroque staircases in Europe. It has a ceiling adorned with a fresco painted in 1739 AD, which depicts the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI as Apollo.

The Abbey of Bobbio is located in the Trebbia River valley in northern Italy. It was built in 614 AD by Saint Columbanus, an Irish monk who had fled to Italy to escape persecution in France and to continue his mission to spread Christianity. Columbanus died there a year later, and his tomb in the abbey's crypt became a significant pilgrimage site. The medieval town of Bobbio grew up around this abbey.

Historically, the abbey became an important cultural center and helped solidify the Catholic faith in the region. It grew into a wealthy institution with vast landholdings confirmed by Charlemagne in the 800's AD. The abbey's library was among the most active in Europe during the Middle Ages. It boasted over 700 manuscripts by the 10th century AD, a collection that helped preserve classical literature during the Dark Ages.

The 9th-century AD bell tower and a smaller apse are surviving parts of the original Romanesque edifice. The crypt, which houses the tomb of St. Columbanus, features a remarkable 12th-century pavement mosaic. The current Basilica of San Colombano was built between 1456 AD and 1530 AD on the site of the original church. It is primarily shows a Renaissance style of architecture.