Cluny Abbey, was founded in 910 AD by Duke William I of Aquitaine. It quickly became one of the most influential monastic centers in Europe during the Middle Ages. The abbey played a significant role in the reform movements of the church, particularly the Cluniac reforms, which sought to restore discipline and spiritual fervor to monastic life. Its architectural style, characterized by its grand scale and ornate decorations, influenced many subsequent religious buildings across the continent.