Fossanova Abbey
![]() Abbey of Fossanova | |
![]() ![]() Location within Italy | |
Monastery information | |
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Order | Cistercian |
Established | 1135 |
Site | |
Location | Fossanova, Italy |
Coordinates | 41°26′17″N 13°11′45″E / 41.4381°N 13.1958°ECoordinates: 41°26′17″N 13°11′45″E / 41.4381°N 13.1958°E |
Visible remains | substantial |
Public access | yes |
Fossanova Abbey, earlier Fossa Nuova, is a church that was formerly a Cistercian abbey located near the railway-station of Priverno in Latina, Italy, about 100 kilometres (62 mi) south-east of Rome.
History[]
Fossanova is one of the finest examples of early Burgundian Gothic architecture in Italy, dating to around 1135.[1] Consecrated in 1208 by monks of its motherhouse of Hautecombe, it retains the bare architecture, the magnificent rose window and finely carved capitals, reflecting the prominent role within the area.
In July 1898 Eugenius, the master chamberlain of Apulia and Terra di Lavoro, was ordered by Constance and her son to transfer a land property from the imperial ownership to the Abbey of Fossanova. The property was located near Aversa and its extension was calculated by John Bassus, chamberlain of the Terra di Lavoro.[2]
A monk of Fossanova compiled the Annales Ceccanenses down to 1218. Another historical source for the same temporal extension are the Annales Ceccanenses.[2]
En route to the Second Council of Lyon in 1274, the Dominican scholastic Thomas Aquinas died in the abbey on 7 March. Since 1935 pastoral duties in the local abbey parish were entrusted to the care of Franciscan Friars Community (OFMConv.).
In 1461 Pope Pius II signed a bull returning to the abbey various properties which had been enstranged by the previous abbots. The estate list was compiled by Rodrigo Borgia, nephew of Pope Callixtus III, who was attempting to finance a naval expedition against Turks.[3]
Architecture[]
The frugal Gothic church is cruciform and square-ended,[1] similar to that of Casamari and Cîteaux Abbey. The church is flanked on one side by the cloister, along with the refectory and chapter house and on the other side by the cemetery.[1] The nave at Fossanova dates from 1187 and the church was consecrated in 1208.
The other conventual buildings also are noteworthy. The hospital, guesthouse, gardens, and buildings related to the farm are all scattered throughout the walled enclosure.[1] Buttresses are set against the walls but they are small and more like classical pilaster than flying buttress.
Presbytery of the church Bell tower
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Newcomb, Rexford (1997). "Abbey". In Johnston, Bernard (ed.). Collier's Encyclopedia. I A to Ameland (First ed.). New York, NY: P.F. Collier. pp. 8–11.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Oldfield, Paul (September 1, 2006). Urban society and communal independence in Twelfth-Century Southern Italy (pdf). 1 vol. University of Leeds, the School of History. pp. 154, 160. OCLC 500163559. Retrieved May 14, 2021. (PhD dissertation)
- ^ Gill, Roger (October 1, 2015). Pinturit's Fresco es in the Sala dei Santi in Vatican Palace (pdf). Birmingham City University, Faculty of Arts, Design and Media. p. 32. OCLC 1006171825. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Fossanuova". Encyclopædia Britannica. 10 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 731.
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External links[]
- Fossanova Abbey website (it.)
- Adrian Fletcher’s Paradoxplace – The Cistercian Abbey of Fossanova (photos)
- Comune di Priverno: Abbazia di Fossanova (eng.)
- Cistercian monasteries in Italy
- Monasteries in Lazio
- Christian monasteries established in the 12th century
- Gothic architecture in Lazio
- Churches in the province of Latina
- Christian monastery stubs
- Italian building and structure stubs