Walking through time Walking through time - IBAM

ITINERARY
8
ABBEYS AND MONASTERIES
THE MONASTERY OF
SAN BENEDETTO AND THE
ABBEY OF SANTA SCOLASTICA
Subiaco
IN THE HEART OF THE ANIENE VALLEY, on an isolated hill,
Subiaco seems to silently watch over its archaeological
and architectural treasures, constantly recalling the
intense history and mysticism of the place in which in
the 5 th century St. Benedict chose to spend a period of
prayer and meditation.
The three years of monastic retreat were spent in a rocky
hermitage later known as the Grotto of the Sacro
Speco, ideal focus of the entire Monastery of San
Benedetto, that in fact contains a statue of the Saint
illuminated by thirteen oil lamps.
The imposing monastic complex was built starting from
the 13 th century and follows the unevenness of the rocky
face of Monte Talèo on which it is situated and that, like
the structure itself, overhangs the valley below.
The most ancient parts, some of which dug out of the
rock, represent to this day the daily life of the Saint and
his spiritual experience: the Holy Wood, through which
the Convent is accessed, the Grotto of the Sacro Speco,
where he spent his years of isolation, the Grotto of the
Shepherds, where he met the local shepherds for his
preaching, the Holy Staircase, that facilitated his way to
the Grotto. Those were the years of the codification of
the norms that would regulate the life of the Benedictine
order for centuries, and during which St. Benedict promoted
the construction of other twelve monasteries in
the Aniene Valley, although the only surviving one is
the nearby Abbey of Santa Scolastica.
In later times, the Chapel of Gregorio Magno
(or of the Angels), the Upper Church,
with a rectangular plan and the Lower
one, formed by chapels on different levels
(14 th century), were built around the
Sacro Speco.
Close by we find the Abbey of Santa
Subiaco: Monastery of the Sacro Speco.
Scolastica (dedicated to Saint Benedict’s twin sister
starting from the 15 th century), an important cultural
and spiritual centre, as indicated by the presence of a
very ancient and rich Library and the Archive containing
copies of ancient codexes.
The Abbey captivates visitors with its stylistic variety,
already evident in the 12 th century facade, in the marvelous
portal, and in the Romanesque bell tower,
thought to be the oldest in central Italy.
The structure is centred around three cloisters, constructed
in different periods; the first we meet dates to
1580 and contains two columns recuperated from the
imposing villa Emperor Nero built near Subiaco.
The courtyard providing access to the church dates
from 1052 and is featured by small ogive arches, whereas
the elegant Cosmatesque architecture makes the last
cloister, from the 12 th -13 th century, the most
precious and truly emblematic of
monastery life. The Church was built in
981, restructured in gothic style during
the 13 th century, and its interior was
renovated later in accordance with
Neoclassical taste.
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