Cisterciënzers
The Cistercians are a religious order of monks and nuns who follow the Rule of Saint Benedict. The order traces its origins to the founding of the Abbey of Cîteaux in Burgundy, France, in 1098 by a group of Benedictine monks seeking a stricter observance of the monastic life. They emphasized manual labor, poverty, and a return to the original ideals of Saint Benedict, stripping away perceived corruptions that had crept into older monastic communities.
The order grew rapidly in the 12th century, establishing numerous daughter houses throughout Europe. These monasteries,
Over time, the order experienced periods of reform and reformations, seeking to maintain its founding principles