Fossanova Abbey

Fossanova Abbey
	Abbey of Fossanova
	Location within Italy
Monastery information
Order	Cistercian
Established	1135
Site
Location	Fossanova, Italy
Coordinates	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.

A monk of Fossanova compiled the Annales Ceccanenses down to 1218.

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.).

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

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Newcomb, Rexford (1997). "Abbey". In Johnston, Bernard (ed.). Collier's Encyclopedia. Vol. I A to Ameland (First ed.). New York, NY: P.F. Collier. pp. 8–11.

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Fossanuova". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 10 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 731.

External links

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[Colliers-1] Newcomb, Rexford (1997). "Abbey". In Johnston, Bernard (ed.). Collier's Encyclopedia. Vol. I A to Ameland (First ed.). New York, NY: P.F. Collier. pp. 8–11.

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