Monasteries in Italy Part II

Abbey of Farfa (Photo from Wikipedia)

Tuscany is a beautiful region rich in art and humanity. Here we find Vallombrosa, a Benedictine abbey, 30 km south-east of Florence. Its origins are dated around 1038 after which it underwent some restyling and remodeling in 1450. This monastery has historically always been a strong geographic and business center as well as a religious site. Most of its economy was based on livestock and timber. This led Vallombrosa to become very strong economically and politically, to the point that Napoleon made sure to take the monastery under his control and essentially shut it down. After World War II, the monks were allowed back in and slowly took over the land again, and today people can freely visit Vallombrosa.

monastery San Francesco in Fiesole, Tuscany, Italy

Not too far from Vallombrosa we arrive at the center of peace and religion, the land of St. Francis and with no doubt the most symbolic Franciscan landmark: the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. This is one of the world's most important sites of Catholicism. Work on the Church started in 1228 and it was divided into two levels, Upper and Lower. These very important artistic elements are the basis of the celebrity of this Church, aside from its religious importance. It is indeed a tremendous gallery for Giotto, whose frescoes cover the walls and illustrate with strong visuals what the world was like when they were created. Indeed these frescoes are a dive into the past that is beneficial for any tourist. From an architectural aspect the Upper Church is a very important Gothic sample of ancient origins.

Proceeding towards the south and past the Umbria-Lazio border is the Farfa Abbey, probably one of the most recognizable abbeys of Italy, even Europe itself. Only 30-40 miles from Rome, this Benedictine monastery was built on top of an existing ancient temple, and it represents a valuable site, artistically and religiously. There is a main church and a group of five smaller ones, which we invite all to visit. Farfa Abbey's atmosphere is deeply spiritual; it is a place of positive mysticism that supports internal prayer and and constructive thinking.

Montecassino Monastery, Italy.

From Farfa, the drive to Montecassino is fairly short. It is famous for being bombarded by the allies during World War II in 1944, when Nazi troops were believed to be hiding there. Religiously Montecassino is very important because is where St. Benedict of Norcia established the Benedictine order in 529. Throughout history and through the centuries, this monastery has been the center of strategic interest of both invaders and armies. Aside from its political importance, Montecassino has always had a strong cultural value, as its library and manuscripts are a gem famous throughout the world and have preserved centuries of culture.

Monastery in Farnese Italy.

In the same region just a few miles away is the Abbey of Casamari, a Cistercian abbey in the province of Frosinone. The name comes from the Roman consul Marius, whose house (casa) in the 11^th century was turned into a Benedictine monastery. In the 1950s the abbey underwent a major renovation that pretty much gave it its last and final look, as we know it today. As in any other monastery, the sense of peace and the simple life surrounds the area, creating a special atmosphere enhanced by the monastery's inspirational Gregorian chants. Casamari lives off its own products as a self sustaining economy where products are produced and sold to  visitors, or used to supply the needs of everyday life.

Finally we head north again to Pavia where the Charterhouse of Pavia (Certosa di Pavia), built between 1369-1495, lies in what once used to be a beautiful park. The complex is famous for its different styles of architecture, as Gothic and Renaissance live together. The visual arts in the Certosa are very significant, representing Lombardy as it used to be and  supplying a very strong element of historical value, even aside from the man religiously-themed paintings. Among them are the panels of St. Ambrose and San Siro (major saints in the history and culture of Milan) as well as the Crucifixion.

These are only a few of the many lovely monasteries in Italy. All of them are doorways into the past of this country's historic, religions and artistic history; they are not to be missed.