GUIDED VISITS
Guided visit of the Abbey
The visit of the Abbey will focus on an appreciation of the vital aspects of the monastic rule and the influences that have reached down to the present day, as an echo of the past.
During the visit, the significant places of the Abbey related to these aspects will be explored, and examples and stories will be provided that highlight how the monastic rule has promoted a vision of man and work based on dignity, community and mutual listening.
Particular attention will also be paid to the architectural beauty of the Abbey, the visit will be an opportunity to immerse yourself in the history and spirituality of the structure, grasping its meaning and being inspired by the teachings of the past.
Guided visit route
The guided visit route begins in front of the exterior entrance gate.
Exterior entrance (gate): Welcome and presentation of the Abbey: Its name evolution during the centuries. Fake fresco;
Entrance on the front door:
Presentation of the company and the property.
History of the Senator and Gaslini Hospital.
One of the hundred Abbeys in Umbria in the XII century. and of the more than 35,000 Benedictine places throughout Europe (web of development after the fall of the Roman Empire and subsequent centuries of barbarian invasions). Function of the small door: homage to God (sun) and defense function (practicality of the Benedictines); Book: The infinite thread Paolo Rumiz.
Interior entrance:
Presentation of the Abbey and its foundation prior to the year one thousand. Oldest parchment (will) Perugia State Archives;
The cloister: uniqueness and constructive characteristics its function for the monks: Like a square link to different daily activities: pray (church) – study (scriptorium and libraries) – work (interior romms for work when there is bad weather). Gym of silent listening with mandatory view up (sky..God). Sustainability concepts (no waste, Concetti di sostenibilità (nothing is thrown away restructuring with pieces of ancient columns) + Diversity as wealth (all different columns). Book: Life and Destiny.
Chapter room: Daily lecture of a chapter of the Rule, decisions, Lettura quotidiana di un Capitolo della Regola, decisioni, Abbot elections, corporal punishment. Desciption of the fresco (Descrizione affresco (thanks to St. Francis); Book: In the name of the mother Erri Deluca.
The crypt: The choice of the place and brief description of St. Benedict’s life (Legend of the Grand Inquisitor FD).
The cellar: From church of the people to storage (which would receive goods from over 30 countries and 20 guard castles property of the Abbey in XII century) and today cellar.
Economic purpose of the administration of Benedictine properties: fruits of the administration given to the most poor.
The late thirteenth-early fourteenth-century church: maximum splendor and decadence. Description of tables (National Gallery of Umbria), the plague and the frescoes of the altars (Fiorenzo di Lorenzo and Bartolomeo Caporali).
The old oil mill: functioning and characteristics of the Extra Virgin Olive oil.
Underground: Butcher shop and agricultural tools. (only for large groups from the north interested in buying oil).
Opening hours
Open for guided visits from June to October at 11am on weekdays, a notice or reservation call is appreciated
All year round, before holidays and public holidays by appointment only for groups of over 25 adults
