We returned to Viterbo from our Orientation trip one week ago. On the way we stopped at the Abbazia di Fossanova. The church was constructed in the late 12th to early 13th century. It is the finest example of the Cistercian Gothic style remaining in Italy. The Cistercians were an offshoot of the Benedictines who sought to return to the more austere teachings of Benedict which they felt were more authentic. Many orders have become known for particular work, for example, the Sisters of Mercy for nursing or the Jesuits for teaching. The Cistercians were noted for their manual labor as they worked the fields and brewed beverages. Modern Cistercians are also known as the Trappists, famed for their jams, jellies and beers.
The Abbey of Fossanova is located around 60 miles southeast of Rome.
The simple, yet elegant lines fostered a sense of peace and solitude appropriate for the modest, hard-working nuns.
The interior is spacious, yet towering, drawing the eyes upwards. Below is a picture of Amy, caught in a rare moment without the swirl of students.
Attached to the church is a cloister. The walkways overlook a beautiful garden, perfect for silent contemplation as you make your way past the paired columns which ring the courtyard.
You can also look into many of the rooms attached to the cloister, including the dining hall.
Unlike the Cistercians who spent the entire time in silence, we happened to visit just before a wedding was scheduled to take place. The bride and groom were taking pictures and the church was being decorated with flowers for the ceremony. A trio of musicians was warming up and practicing in one of the areas adjacent to the cloister providing a beautiful serenade of classical music for us as we strolled the walkways and took in the sights.
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