Abbey of Saint-Riquier | monastery, interesting place

 monastery, interesting place

13th-16th century Gothic building
Saint-Riquier (originally Centula or Centulum ) was famous for its abbey, founded about 625 by Riquier (Richarius), son of the governor of the town. It was enriched by King Dagobert I and prospered under the abbacy of Angilbert, son-in-law of Charlemagne. The 18th century buildings are occupied by an ecclesiastical seminary. The church is a magnificent example of flamboyant Gothic architecture of the 15th and 16th centuries, and has a richly sculptured front on the west, surmounted by a square tower. In the interior the fine vaulting, the Renaissance font and carved stalls, and the frescoes in the treasury are especially noteworthy. Among other valuable relics, the treasury possesses a copper cross said to be the work of Saint Eloi (Eligius).

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