California Gets A Medieval Church

According to a story from San Francisco Gate News, a Spanish Trappist monastery built in the 12th century, and rebuilt in the 16th century, was then imported stone by stone by William Randolph Heart of newspaper and Hearst Castle fame, who intended to use the stones and arches for a grand estate he never built. The bits and pieces were abandoned in Golden Gate Park for more than 60 years. But now they've been fitted back together like giant Lego. It's now called the Abbey of New Clairvaux located in Vina in northern California. The Cistercian monks raised $7 million over twelve years to buy the stones. There's more to the story here.

Comments

[Debra Adams]

In Massachusetts, I used to visit the Hammond Castle which was only a replica, but to see the real thing is just amazing!

I think think that between the Hammond Castle, and the Higgins Armory in Worcester MA (www.higgins.org), my interest in the genre was cemented. Someday I hope to see this church!