Largest In Europe Underground Church Of Saint-Jean of Aubeterre Built By 12th Century Benedictine Monks
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - The 12th century Benedictine monks created the subterranean Church of Saint-Jean of Aubeterre that we can admire today. It is the largest underground church in Europe.
The skilled craftsmen were not in possession of our modern tools, but their creation is formidable, indeed.
The massive church was built in caves that already existed, along with a baptismal pool, carved in the form of a Greek cross and located in the center of the nave that dates from the 4th century.

Hewn from solid limestone during the XII Century by Benedictine monks, from an upper plateau to the outside ground level. The monks utilised natural caverties and fault lines eroded by underground streams to help them in their tasks. Credits: Fiendishly Fre
The church is 27 meters long, 16 meters wide, and 20 meters high. It is important to understand that this was not just a giant cave that was converted into a church. It is actually carved in the form of a contemporary church, with the great columns, niches and the vaulted nave.
The unique monolithic structure is almost completely carved out of the limestone and it stands on it, too.
This was an gigantic achievement and must have somehow answered an equally enormous need in ancient times.

The church itself, and its crypt, were hidden for centuries by a rock fall, and only rediscovered in the 1950′s.
The original purpose of this underground structure was to preserve religious artifacts in a reliquary (“a shrine of Holy relics”) and in a number of pits. The inspiration came most probably from the design of the Sepulchre in Jerusalem, discovered during the First Crusade at the end of the 11th century.
However, another source of inspiration of the ancient skilled craftsmen may originate in stories about the impressive rock hewn temples and underground cities of the Cappadocia in modern day Turkey.
The Church of Saint-Jean of Aubeterre itself, and its crypt, were hidden for centuries by a rock fall. They were rediscovered in the 1950′s.
The sheer scale of this edifice with its nave 20 meters in height, its surrounding gallery, and the hundreds of stone sarcophagi in the necropolis, testify to the importance of the church as a religious and sacred place.

Pre-Christian necropolis with eighty stone coffins with additional older layers of older coffins.via via lucis
The pre-Christian necropolis contains eighty stone coffins and features several layers of coffins. when one layer was filled and covered with soil, the next layer was filled up. The necropolis was hidden from sight until January 1961.
It was discovered accidentally when a truck was passing on adjacent street, which began to collapse, revealing the necropolis below.
Pilgrims often visit the subterrenean Church of Saint-Jean, a true natural wonder surrounded by aura of magic and mystery.
Written by – A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesMore From Ancient Pages
-
Aboriginal ‘Memories’ Of Australia’s Coastline Go Back More Than 7,000 Years
Civilizations | Sep 30, 2015 -
Disgusting Vandalism And Looting Of Viking Graves In Norway
Ancient Places | Nov 6, 2020 -
Daily Life Of Ancient Maya
Ancient History Facts | Oct 12, 2020 -
Ancient City Filled With Treasures May Be Hidden Underground In South America
Ancient Places | Jul 20, 2018 -
Mystery Of Doppelgangers And Spirit Doubles – From Ancient To Modern Times
Featured Stories | Sep 16, 2014 -
Struggle To Get Mail On Time Has Lasted More Than 5,000 Years – Part 1
Featured Stories | Jul 30, 2017 -
Ancient Mud-Brick Roman Ovens And Massive Wall Dated To Egyptian Late Period Unearthed In Luxor
Archaeology | Jun 26, 2020 -
‘Be Wise As Serpents And Harmless As Doves’ – The Story Of The Serpent People And Their Guidance
Ancient Places | May 7, 2014 -
Headless remains related to Huns or Sarmatians puzzle archaeologists in Kazakhstan
Ancient Places | Aug 30, 2015 -
Mythical Egyptian Bennu Bird And Deity
Egyptian Mythology | Jun 5, 2016 -
Binary System Was Used By Ancient Polynesians 1,000 Years Before The Concept Of A Computer Was Introduced
Ancient Technology | Feb 3, 2015 -
On This Day In History: Irish Saint Columbanus Founder Of Monasteries In Europe Died – On Nov 21, 615
News | Nov 21, 2016 -
Attempt To Smuggle Three Artefacts From Alexandria Port – Failed
Artifacts | Oct 28, 2020 -
3,000-Year-Old Nimrud Lens Could Re-Write The History Of Science – Was The World’s Oldest Telescope Developed By Ancient Assyrian Astronomers?
Ancient Technology | Oct 19, 2014 -
On This Day In History: Great Siege Of Gibraltar Begins – On June 16, 1779
News | Jun 16, 2016 -
Experts Restore Ceremonial Boat Of Pharaoh Cheops At On-Site Antiquities Laboratory
Archaeology | Mar 30, 2017 -
Winged Hussars: Facts And History About The Polish Warriors, Their Armor And Military Tactics
Featured Stories | Feb 14, 2016 -
Secrets Of Mount Shasta – One Of The Most Sacred Places On Earth
Ancient Places | Oct 24, 2015 -
On This Day In History: Nevada Became The 36th State In The USA – On Oct 31, 1864
News | Oct 31, 2016 -
Archaeologists Unearthed Alabaster Statue Of Queen Tiye In Luxor, Egypt
Archaeology | Mar 24, 2017