Notre-Dame de Bithaine, an ancient Cistercian abbey located in Haute-Saône, France, was severely damaged by a fire on September 21, 2026. The abbey, founded in 1133, was a daughter of the Abbey of Morimond and has a rich history spanning the Middle Ages. Aymon, a crusader and the seigneur de Faucogney, promised to found an abbey in his fief if he was saved during a crusade. When he returned safely, he gave the land for the abbey to the monks of Morimond in April 1133.
The name 'Bithaine' comes from Béthanie where Aymon was a prisoner. The abbey prospered and expanded in the Middle Ages, founding an abbey-daughter at Chaligny in 1150. However, it was pillaged several times, including in May 1525 during a peasant revolt. Despite the fire severely damaging the roof, the rest of the abbey remains intact. The fire on September 21, 2026, caused significant damage to the roof, marking a tragic end to the abbey’s history. Bithaine is a daughter of the Abbey of Morimond.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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