A fascinating tour of the most important abbeys in Latium: From the Benedictine monasteries of Subiaco and Montecassino to the Cistercian foundation of Fossanova, discovering the sites of an ancient spiritual adventure and the austere lives of mediaeval monks.
Day 1The First Monasteries of Benedict of Norcia
Arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport. Transfer to the hotel and departure for Subiaco, which is famous for the monasteries built along the road to Vallepietra. Once past the remains of Nero’s Villa (1st century A.D.) arrival at the monastery of St. Scolastica, founded by St. Benedict. The buildings include the convent, three cloisters and the mediaeval church with a Neoclassical interior built in 1770 by Giacomo Quarenghi. After lunch, we reach the monastery of St. Benedict, with its upper and lower churches built on several levels of the rock face and splendidly frescoed between the 3rd and 5th century. The lower church leads to the Sacro Speco, the grotto where St. Benedict spent his first years as a monk, and the Holy Stairway. Further down is the Shepherds’ Cave, containing a rock painting dating from the 7th century. Departure for Fiuggi, famous for its waters and spas, and transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
2
Benedictine Rules in the Abbey of Montecassino
After breakfast, departure for Cassino, overlooked by the abbey founded by St. Benedict in 529 on the mountain of the same name and destroyed by bombing in the Second World War. It has been rebuilt according to the original plans, which consist of the monastery, three cloisters and the basilica, identical to the 3rd-century original, and preserving the main doorway, cast at Constantinople in the 11th century. Inside, the main altar contains the remains of St. Benedict and St. Scolastica. After lunch, departure for Gaeta, with its well-known mediaeval district and promontory of Monte Orlando. Arrival at the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
3
Cistercian Gothic at the Abbey of Fossanova
After breakfast, transfer to Fossanova to visit the famous abbey built by the Cistercians who imported the architectural
forms of French Gothic style into Italy. The church with its three naves was consecrated in 1208 and is flanked by the monastery and its cloister, surrounded by the chapterhouse, by a room with a fireplace for winter meetings (calefactorium) and by the refectory. From April to November, on the first and third Sundays of the month, it is possible to visit the ruins of Ninfa, a mediaeval town abandoned because of malaria and now overrun by thick vegetation. All around is a natural oasis, home to many species of bird. Return to Rome and departure as planned.
