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PLACE NAMES


 
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Saint-Seine-l'Abbaye
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Saint-Seine-l'Abbaye is a commune in the Côte-d'Or department in eastern France.
It is also a place steeped in history with its archaeological sites, the goddess Sequana; nymph Sources close to the Seine and Alesia, the remnants of its ancient abbey (the Abbey of Saint-Seine) and the abbey church, a jewel of Gothic art primitive Burgundy and its rich rural heritage: the 1856 school converted into a museum, flower laundries, foundries, crucifixes, mills.
The abbey was founded by Saint Sequanus in the 6th century.
In Gallo-Roman religion, Sequana was the goddess of the river Seine, particularly the springs at the source of the Seine, and the Gaulish tribe the Sequani. The springs, called the Fontes Sequanae ("The Springs of Sequana"), are located a few miles away, and it was here, in the 2nd or 1st century BC, that a healing shrine was established. The sanctuary was later taken over by the Romans, who built two temples, a colonnaded precinct and other related structures centred on the spring and pool. Many dedications were made to Sequana at her temple, including a large pot inscribed with her name and filled with bronze and silver models of parts of human bodies to be cured by her. Wooden and stone images of limbs, internal organs, heads, and complete bodies were offered to her in the hope of a cure, as well as numerous coins and items of jewellery. Respiratory illnesses and eye diseases were common. Pilgrims were frequently depicted as carrying offerings to the goddess, including money, fruit, or a favorite pet dog or bird.
5km north-west of the abbey, at the true source of the Seine (Source-Seine) there is now a beautiful garden of contemplation, free, open to the public.
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