Abbey of Our Lady of Atlas

About

The Abbey of Our Lady of Atlas was founded in 1938 largely to help the locals of the village of Tibhirine in the Atlas mountains with their agricultural development. After Algeria gained independence in the 1960s, the monastery-turned-abbey became home to a small group of Trappist monks who quickly bonded with their Muslim neighbors. When the civil war erupted in the 1990s, it was no longer safe for the Christian community to reside in the country, but the monks remained devoted to the local population and refused to leave. In 1996, seven monks were kidnapped and beheaded by members of one of the militant groups. Now, the abbey attracts dozens of Catholic and Muslim visitors alike who wish to learn more about this tragic story and pay their respects. It is considered a symbol of reconciliation and peace, and a dialogue between Christian and Muslim communities, welcoming visitors to walk through the abbey's premises, including the chapel and a large garden, and feel the spirit of the martyred monks. Photo by Ps2613 under CC BY-SA 3.0