Abbey Of Sassovivo on:
[Wikipedia]
[Google]
[Amazon]
The Abbey of Sassovivo is a Benedictine monastery in Umbria in central Italy. Administratively, it is a '' frazione'' of the '' comune'' of
Points of interest include:
* The Romanesque cloister (1229), commissioned by abbot Angelo and executed by the Roman stonemason Pietro de Maria. it has a rectangular plan with 58 arcades supported by a double order of 128 small helicoidal columns with capitals having lily decorations and mosaic tassels. In 1340 a large central cistern was added, followed by a pit in 1623. The cloister is also home to a fresco depicting the ''Virgin Enthroned with Child'' (14th century).
* The monastery, with a fresco of the ''Last Supper'' (1595) and the 13th century dormitories.
* '' Loggia del Paradiso'', with fragments of 15th-century frescoes.
* Crypt of the Blessed Alano (11th century), a remain of Santa Maria in Valle, the first nucleus of the Sassovivo Abbey.
* ''Passeggiata dell'Abate'' ("Abbot's Walk"), a path within woods of oaks,
Foligno
Foligno (; Southern Umbrian: ''Fuligno'') is an ancient town of Italy in the province of Perugia in east central Umbria, on the Topino river where it leaves the Apennines and enters the wide plain of the Clitunno river system. It is located so ...
.
Geography
The abbey lies in an ancient oak wood, 6 km from Foligno. Located at an altitude of 565 m on a rocky spur at the foot of Mount Serrone, it overlooks theValle Umbra
Valle may refer to:
* Valle (surname)
Geography
*"Valle", the cultural and climatic zone of the dry subtropical Interandean Valles of the Andes of Peru, Bolivia, and northwest Argentina
*University of Valle, a public university in Cali, Colombia ...
.
History
The abbey was founded by the Benedictines around 1070, probably by one Mainhard coming fromSanta Maria di Sitria
Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring children gifts during the late evening and overnight ...
. The abbey was based on an existing castle of the Monaldi family, on a site probably used in ancient times by the Umbri as sanctuary.
The abbey soon increased its power and prestige thanks to numerous donations. In 1138 its possession extended from Rome (the basilica of Santi Quattro Coronati) to Perugia, Spoleto and Camerino. In the following centuries it had 97 monasteries, 41 churches and 7 hospitals. In the late 15th century the abbey passed to the Olivetan
The Olivetans, formally known as the Order of Our Lady of Mount Olivet, are a monastic order. They were founded in 1313 and recognised in 1344. They use the Rule of Saint Benedict and are a member of the Benedictine Confederation, where they are ...
Benedictines.
The abbey started to decay from the 15th century. In the course of the Napoleonic Wars, it was partially closed and in 1860, after the fall of the Papal States, its dependencies were divided between the Italian state, the local bishopric and privates.
Today, part of the Abbey belongs to the Diocese of Foligno, another part to the State and the third part to a private family.
In 1979, the Bishop of Foligno entrusted the abbey to the community of the Little Brothers of Jesus Caritas who continue to live there.
In the 1970s-1990s a substantial program of restoration was carried on. The church is still under restoration after having been damaged by an earthquake in 1997.
Architecture
Points of interest include:
* The Romanesque cloister (1229), commissioned by abbot Angelo and executed by the Roman stonemason Pietro de Maria. it has a rectangular plan with 58 arcades supported by a double order of 128 small helicoidal columns with capitals having lily decorations and mosaic tassels. In 1340 a large central cistern was added, followed by a pit in 1623. The cloister is also home to a fresco depicting the ''Virgin Enthroned with Child'' (14th century).
* The monastery, with a fresco of the ''Last Supper'' (1595) and the 13th century dormitories.
* '' Loggia del Paradiso'', with fragments of 15th-century frescoes.
* Crypt of the Blessed Alano (11th century), a remain of Santa Maria in Valle, the first nucleus of the Sassovivo Abbey.
* ''Passeggiata dell'Abate'' ("Abbot's Walk"), a path within woods of oaks, juniper
Junipers are coniferous trees and shrubs in the genus ''Juniperus'' () of the cypress family Cupressaceae. Depending on the taxonomy, between 50 and 67 species of junipers are widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, from the Arcti ...
s and Aleppo pine
''Pinus halepensis'', commonly known as the Aleppo pine, also known as the Jerusalem pine, is a pine native to the Mediterranean region.
Description
''Pinus halepensis'' is a small to medium-sized tree, tall, with a trunk diameter up to , exce ...
s.
References
{{authority control Buildings and structures in Foligno Frazioni of the Province of Perugia 1070s establishments in Europe 11th-century establishments in Italy Monasteries in Umbria Benedictine monasteries in Italy Christian monasteries established in the 11th century Romanesque architecture in Umbria Roman Catholic churches in Foligno