Page 475 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

LAZIO  473

e Subiaco
The Monasteries of Lazio
Roma. * 9,000. @ n Town
Library, Viale della Repubblica 26 St Benedict founded the Abbey of Montecassino
(0774 85 050). ( Sat. around 529 and there wrote his famous Rule. Based on
the principles of prayer, study and manual labour, this
In the 6th century, weary of the Rose became the fundamental monastic code of western
decadence of Rome, St Benedict window, Europe. The Cistercian Order, an offshoot of the
left the city to become a hermit Fossanova Benedictines, came to Italy from Burgundy in the
in a cave above Subiaco. Others 12th century. The Cistercians were followers of St Bernard,
whose creed was based on austerity and self-sufficiency,
joined him, and eventually there qualities which were reflected in the simple, early Gothic architecture
were 12 monasteries in the area. of their monasteries. Their first
Only two now survive: Santa abbey was at Fossanova. Other
Scolastica, dedicated to Cistercian abbeys in Lazio include
Benedict’s sister, is organized Valvisciolo (northeast of
around three cloisters, one Sermoneta) and San Martino in
Renaissance, one early Gothic Cimino (near Lago di Vico).
and the third Cosmatesque.
Higher up, the 12th-century
San Benedetto is a more The Abbey of Montecassino,
rewarding destination. destroyed during World War II,
Overhanging a deep gorge, it was rebuilt as a replica of its
comprises two churches built 17th-century predecessor.
on top of each other. The upper
is decorated with 14th-century
Sienese frescoes; the lower,
built over several levels,
incorporates the original cave
where Benedict spent three
years after fleeing Rome.
R Santa Scolastica
3 km (2 miles) E of Subiaco.
Tel 0774 824 21. Open daily. ^
R San Benedetto
3 km (2 miles) E of Subiaco.
Tel 0774 85 039. Open daily. ^
7 (upper church only).

r Montecassino
Cassino. Tel 0776 31 15 29. V Cassino,
then bus. Open 9am–12:30pm,
3:30–6pm daily (Nov–Mar: to 5pm).
The Abbey of Montecassino,
mother church of the Benedictine
Order and a centre of medieval
art, was founded in 529 by St
Benedict. By the 8th century it
was an important centre of
learning, and by the 11th The Abbey of San Benedetto,
century had become one of the Subiaco, was founded in the
richest monasteries in Europe. 11th century over St Benedict’s
In 1944 it was a German cave. A staircase carved in the
stronghold and a target for rock leads to the grotto where
Allied bombs. Most of the he preached to shepherds.
complex was devastated,
including the lavish Baroque
church, but the walls remained The Abbey of Casamari, 13 km
intact and the abbey withstood (8 miles) east of Frosinone, was
for three months before falling founded by Benedictine monks in
to the Allies. The adjoining war 1035 and handed over to the
cemeteries commemorate the Cistercians, who rebuilt it in 1203.
30,000 soldiers killed.

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