Art and architecture in Italy: the Abbey of Fossanova, near Rome

Today we’ll get a closer look at the abbey of Fossanova, an amazing convent, south-east of Rome, which was constructed over the remains of an old Roman villa in 529 AD.
First built in the Romanesque style, the place was founded by a group of Benedictines who were then replaced by a congregation of Cistercian monks; these, guided by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, turned the abbey into one of the most important religious centres in Europe.

Over the centuries (1187 – 1208) the monks added several new buildings, thus altering the aspect of the abbey for good.
In fact the present abbey – where Saint Thomas Aquinas died in 1274 – can be considered as the first and finest example of Cistercian/Gothic architecture here in Italy.

To find out how to reach the abbey please click here.
Opening hours: 7:00 – 12:00; 16:00 – 19:30