The Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore is located a short distance from Montalcino.
The Olivetan community traces its foundations to 1313.
The correct name for the monks of the Abbey is Monaci Benedettini di Santa Maria di Monte Oliveto.
The Abbey is situated 273 m above sea level at Chiusura and overlooks the Crete Senesi countryside.
Construction of the Monastry began in 1393 and was completed in 1526.
An imposing tower with a drawbridge takes you into the Abbey grounds past a botanical garden that supplied medicinal plants for the monks and a fish pond used by the monks for those times of the year during which the Benedictine rule forbade the consumption of meat.
The fish pond
The main cloister is decorated with an amazing fresco cycle by Luca Signorelli depicting the life of St Benedict. He began this work of 36 large scenes in 1497 and finished in 1508.
The Abbey also includes a late gothic church, a stunning refectory dining room, a large library comprising more than 40,000 volumes and a dispensary.
Visitors can hear the Gregorian chant by the Monks on working days at 18.15 or on holidays at 11.00 and 18.30.
A must visit.
Baci a tutti
Carolyna e Alan
I sometimes wonder what the legacy will be from the last couple of centuries. There is such a rich heritage of beautiful paintings, sculptures, buildings, music etc, from the times when "the church" in Europe and England sponsored artists and musicians. Beauty seemed to be the key then - mostly the key word now is "utilitarian" (read ugly). Not saying there isn't some beauty, but not on the scale that you see from the, say, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries and even earlier, eg the mosaics you photographed.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, were you there for the Gregorian chant? Would love to hear that.
ReplyDeleteNo missed the Gregorian chant but had heard it before at Sant Antimo. Fabulous.
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