Where is the relic of St Foy?

Conques
The relics of Sainte-Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866….

Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy
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General information
Location	Conques, France

What is inside the reliquary of St Foy?

The Reliquary of Sainte Foy is a 33-½ inch wooden statue covered in gold and gemstones. The reliquary holds the skull of Sainte Foy in the bust, which is made from a repurposed Roman helmet. The use of spolia, or the repurposing of Roman artifacts, connects the statue to Rome, the seat of Christianity, and its riches.

Who built church of Sainte Foy?

Abbot Begon III
The cloister, without a doubt one of the most beautiful in southern France, was erected at the end of the 11th century by Abbot Begon III below the southern part of the church transept.

What is the relic at Sainte Foy?

reliquary
The reliquary at Conques held the remains of Saint Foy, a young Christian convert living in Roman-occupied France during the second century. At the age of twelve, she was condemned to die for her refusal to sacrifice to pagan gods, she is therefore revered as a martyr, as someone who dies for their faith.

When was the church of Sainte Foy built?

1050-1130
A church had stood on the spot since the 600s; the Church of Sainte-Foy was built from 1050-1130.

Who is the architect of the St Foy Church?

Abbot Odolric
-Foy at Conques – Conques, France – Great Buildings Architecture. “Begun by Abbot Odolric (1030-65), the abbey church was, in fact, completed at the start of the 12th century, being then based on a different plan, especially for the apse, than that originally envisaged.

Where was the reliquary of Sainte Foy made?

The reliquary of Sainte Foy was originally located in a monastery in Agen. In the eighth century, a group of monks (who would later establish the Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy) fled from Spain to Conques, France, hoping to escape from the Saracens (Arab Muslims).

When was the church of Sainte Foy made?

A church had stood on the spot since the 600s; the Church of Sainte-Foy was built from 1050-1130.

Why visit the Church of Saint Foy at Conques?

The Church of Saint Foy at Conques provides an excellent example of Romanesque art and architecture. Although the monastery no longer survives, the church and treasury stand as a reminder of the rituals of medieval faith, especially for pilgrims. Even today, people make the long trek to Conques to pay respect to Saint Foy.

What is the reliquary of Saint Foy?

Saint Foy was a very popular saint in Southern France and her relic was extremely important to the church; bringing pilgrims and wealth to the small, isolated town of Conques. While the date of the reliquary is unknown, Bernard of Angers first spoke it about in 1010.

How did the relics of Sainte-Foy arrive in Conques?

The relics of Sainte-Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. After unsuccessful attempts to acquire the relics of Saint Vincent of Saragossa and then the relics of St. Vincent Pompejac in Agen, the abbey authorities set their sights on the relics of Sainte-Foy at the ancient St. Faith’s Church, Sélestat.

What is the significance of Sainte-Foy Abbey?

The Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy in Conques, France, was a popular stop for pilgrims traveling the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela, in what is now Spain. The main draw for medieval pilgrims at Conques were the remains of Sainte-Foy, a young woman martyred during the fourth century.