Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Abbazia di Santa Maria di Valdiponte

The "Abbazia di Santa Maria di Valdiponte" ("Abbey of Montelabate") dates back to the 9th century. In 969 a Papal Bull ordered the Abbott Pietro to restore the monastery and to start there a new Benedictine convent. Located between Perugia and Gubbio the abbey, that belonged to the Cluniac network within the 12th century, prospered over centuries, but declined from mid 16th century on, after it had become a "commanderie". The commandatory abbot recieved the abbey from the pope as a benefice and without taking up residence was entitle to the revenues of the abbey. In 1602 the abbey became the center of a large agricultural holding, before in 1749 it came into the possesion of Cistercian monks. The Abbey suffered strongly during the Napoleonic times. After the Risorgimento it became property of the State. The huge archive was transferred to public libraries, the works of art were moved to the National Gallery of Umbria. Later it passed through several private ownerships and now it is owned by the Gerolamo Gaslini Foundation based in Genova. The crypt is probably the oldest part of the existing structure. The church above the crypt was of modest dimensions. This church got demolished, when the erection of the new, larger church started, as then building material was needed. This impressive Gothic abbey church is more than 30 meters long - and needs restoration. The walls are covered with graffiti, what is no surprise, as the French armee had been here during Napoleon´s Italian campaigns. This graffito reads SERGIO in cyrillic letters. Actually the russian version of the name would be SERGEI (= Сергей). Who wrote that Italian name? Who was Sergio? We were very lucky to join a group that had booked a guided tour through the abbey.

The "Abbazia di Santa Maria di Valdiponte" ("Abbey of Montelabate") dates back to the 9th century. In 969 a Papal Bull ordered the Abbott Pietro to restore the monastery and to start there a new Benedictine convent. Located between Perugia and Gubbio the abbey, that belonged to the Cluniac network within the 12th century, prospered over centuries, but declined from mid 16th century on, after it had become a "commanderie". The commandatory abbot recieved the abbey from the pope as a benefice and without taking up residence was entitle to the revenues of the abbey. In 1602 the abbey became the center of a large agricultural holding, before in 1749 it came into the possesion of Cistercian monks. The Abbey suffered strongly during the Napoleonic times. After the Risorgimento it became property of the State. The huge archive was transferred to public libraries, the works of art were moved to the National Gallery of Umbria. Later it passed through several private ownerships and now it is owned by the Gerolamo Gaslini Foundation based in Genova. The crypt is probably the oldest part of the existing structure. The church above the crypt was of modest dimensions. This church got demolished, when the erection of the new, larger church started, as then building material was needed. This impressive Gothic abbey church is more than 30 meters long - and needs restoration. The walls are covered with graffiti, what is no surprise, as the French armee had been here during Napoleon´s Italian campaigns. Here are long lists of names and dates. We were very lucky to join a group that had booked a guided tour through the abbey.

The "Abbazia di Santa Maria di Valdiponte" ("Abbey of Montelabate") dates back to the 9th century. In 969 a Papal Bull ordered the Abbott Pietro to restore the monastery and to start there a new Benedictine convent. Located between Perugia and Gubbio the abbey, that belonged to the Cluniac network within the 12th century, prospered over centuries, but declined from mid 16th century on, after it had become a "commanderie". The commandatory abbot recieved the abbey from the pope as a benefice and without taking up residence was entitle to the revenues of the abbey. In 1602 the abbey became the center of a large agricultural holding, before in 1749 it came into the possesion of Cistercian monks. The Abbey suffered strongly during the Napoleonic times. After the Risorgimento it became property of the State. The huge archive was transferred to public libraries, the works of art were moved to the National Gallery of Umbria. Later it passed through several private ownerships and now it is owned by the Gerolamo Gaslini Foundation based in Genova. The crypt is probably the oldest part of the existing structure. The church above the crypt was of modest dimensions. This church got demolished, when the erection of the new, larger church started, as then building material was needed. This impressive Gothic abbey church is more than 30 meters long - and needs restoration. The walls are covered with graffiti, what is no surprise, as the French armee had been here during Napoleon´s Italian campaigns. One of the soldiers carved this "selfie". We were very lucky to join a group that had booked a guided tour through the abbey.

The "Abbazia di Santa Maria di Valdiponte" ("Abbey of Montelabate") dates back to the 9th century. In 969 a Papal Bull ordered the Abbott Pietro to restore the monastery and to start there a new Benedictine convent. Located between Perugia and Gubbio the abbey, that belonged to the Cluniac network within the 12th century, prospered over centuries, but declined from mid 16th century on, after it had become a "commanderie". The commandatory abbot recieved the abbey from the pope as a benefice and without taking up residence was entitle to the revenues of the abbey. In 1602 the abbey became the center of a large agricultural holding, before in 1749 it came into the possesion of Cistercian monks. The Abbey suffered strongly during the Napoleonic times. After the Risorgimento it became property of the State. The huge archive was transferred to public libraries, the works of art were moved to the National Gallery of Umbria. Later it passed through several private ownerships and now it is owned by the Gerolamo Gaslini Foundation based in Genova. The crypt is probably the oldest part of the existing structure, dating to the early 11th century. The church above the crypt was of modest dimensions, the wall of the main apse is still visible from the outside. This church got demolished, when the erection of the new, larger church started, as then building material was needed. The crypt was used then as "lower church" and, when the new church was completed and a Gothic convent building was built over the crypt, as cellar. Some walls still have frescoes. Some scholars believe, that the (small) abbot, seen on the left on his knees, is Uguccione Monalducci (1302-1338), who may have commissioned the frescoes. We were very lucky to join a group that had booked a guided tour through the abbey.

The "Abbazia di Santa Maria di Valdiponte" ("Abbey of Montelabate") dates back to the 9th century. In 969 a Papal Bull ordered the Abbott Pietro to restore the monastery and to start there a new Benedictine convent. Located between Perugia and Gubbio the abbey, that belonged to the Cluniac network within the 12th century, prospered over centuries, but declined from mid 16th century on, after it had become a "commanderie". The commandatory abbot recieved the abbey from the pope as a benefice and without taking up residence was entitle to the revenues of the abbey. In 1602 the abbey became the center of a large agricultural holding, before in 1749 it came into the possesion of Cistercian monks. The Abbey suffered strongly during the Napoleonic times. After the Risorgimento it became property of the State. The huge archive was transferred to public libraries, the works of art were moved to the National Gallery of Umbria. Later it passed through several private ownerships and now it is owned by the Gerolamo Gaslini Foundation based in Genova. The crypt is probably the oldest part of the existing structure, dating to the early 11th century. The church above the crypt was of modest dimensions, the wall of the main apse is still visible from the outside. This church got demolished, when the erection of the new, larger church started, as then building material was needed. The crypt was used then as "lower church" and, when the new church waa completed and a Gothic convent building was built over the crypt, as cellar. One of the rough capitals. We were very lucky to join a group that had booked a guided tour through the abbey.

The "Abbazia di Santa Maria di Valdiponte" ("Abbey of Montelabate") dates back to the 9th century. In 969 a Papal Bull ordered the Abbott Pietro to restore the monastery and to start there a new Benedictine convent. Located between Perugia and Gubbio the abbey, that belonged to the Cluniac network within the 12th century, prospered over centuries, but declined from mid 16th century on, after it had become a "commanderie". The commandatory abbot recieved the abbey from the pope as a benefice and without taking up residence was entitle to the revenues of the abbey. In 1602 the abbey became the center of a large agricultural holding, before in 1749 it came into the possesion of Cistercian monks. The Abbey suffered strongly during the Napoleonic times. After the Risorgimento it became property of the State. The huge archive was transferred to public libraries, the works of art were moved to the National Gallery of Umbria. Later it passed through several private ownerships and now it is owned by the Gerolamo Gaslini Foundation based in Genova. The crypt is probably the oldest part of the existing structure, dating to the early 11th century. The church above the crypt was of modest dimensions, the wall of the main apse is still visible from the outside. This church got demolished, when the erection of the new, larger church started, as then building material was needed. The crypt was used then as "lower church" and, when the new church was completed and a Gothic convent building was built over the crypt, as cellar. We were very lucky to join a group that had booked a guided tour through the abbey.

The "Abbazia di Santa Maria di Valdiponte" ("Abbey of Montelabate") dates back to the 9th century. In 969 a Papal Bull ordered the Abbott Pietro to restore the monastery and to start there a new Benedictine convent. Located between Perugia and Gubbio the abbey, that belonged to the Cluniac network within the 12th century, prospered over centuries, but declined from mid 16th century on, after it had become a "commanderie". The commandatory abbot recieved the abbey from the pope as a benefice and without taking up residence was entitle to the revenues of the abbey. In 1602 the abbey became the center of a large agricultural holding, before in 1749 it came into the possesion of Cistercian monks. The Abbey suffered strongly during the Napoleonic times. After the Risorgimento it became property of the State. The huge archive was transferred to public libraries, the works of art were moved to the National Gallery of Umbria. Later it passed through several private ownerships and now it is owned by the Gerolamo Gaslini Foundation based in Genova. The lower level of the cloister was completed under abbot Orator (1205-1222). There is an inscription near the entry "ISTIUS ORATOR / OPERIS FUIT EDI(FICATOR(?) /../PRO EO) SUPLICIUS ORA" (Orator commisioned this work - pray for him). A cloister is documented earlier and some parts used by Orator´s workers date back to the 9th or 10th century. We were very lucky to join a group that had booked a guided tour through the abbey.

The "Abbazia di Santa Maria di Valdiponte" ("Abbey of Montelabate") dates back to the 9th century. In 969 a Papal Bull ordered the Abbott Pietro to restore the monastery and to start there a new Benedictine convent. Located between Perugia and Gubbio the abbey, that belonged to the Cluniac network within the 12th century, prospered over centuries, but declined from mid 16th century on, after it had become a "commanderie". The commandatory abbot recieved the abbey from the pope as a benefice and without taking up residence was entitle to the revenues of the abbey. In 1602 the abbey became the center of a large agricultural holding, before in 1749 it came into the possesion of Cistercian monks. The Abbey suffered strongly during the Napoleonic times. After the Risorgimento it became property of the State. The huge archive was transferred to public libraries, the works of art were moved to the National Gallery of Umbria. Later it passed through several private ownerships and now it is owned by the Gerolamo Gaslini Foundation based in Genova. The lower level of the cloister was completed under abbot Orator (1205-1222). There is an inscription near the entry "ISTIUS ORATOR / OPERIS FUIT EDI(FICATOR(?) /../PRO EO) SUPLICIUS ORA" (Orator commisioned this work - pray for him). A cloister is documented earlier and some parts used by Orator´s workers date back to the 9th or 10th century. We were very lucky to join a group that had booked a guided tour through the abbey.

The "Abbazia di Santa Maria di Valdiponte" ("Abbey of Montelabate") dates back to the 9th century. In 969 a Papal Bull ordered the Abbott Pietro to restore the monastery and to start there a new Benedictine convent. Located between Perugia and Gubbio the abbey, that belonged to the Cluniac network within the 12th century, prospered over centuries, but declined from mid 16th century on, after it had become a "commanderie". The commandatory abbot recieved the abbey from the pope as a benefice and without taking up residence was entitle to the revenues of the abbey. In 1602 the abbey became the center of a large agricultural holding, before in 1749 it came into the possesion of Cistercian monks. The Abbey suffered strongly during the Napoleonic times. After the Risorgimento it became property of the State. The huge archive was transferred to public libraries, the works of art were moved to the National Gallery of Umbria. Later it passed through several private ownerships and now it is owned by the Gerolamo Gaslini Foundation based in Genova. The lower level of the cloister was completed under abbot Orator (1205-1222). There is an inscription near the entry "ISTIUS ORATOR / OPERIS FUIT EDI(FICATOR(?) /../PRO EO) SUPLICIUS ORA" (Orator commisioned this work - pray for him). A cloister is documented earlier and some parts used by Orator´s workers date back to the 9th or 10th century. We were very lucky to join a group that had booked a guided tour through the abbey.

The "Abbazia di Santa Maria di Valdiponte" ("Abbey of Montelabate") dates back to the 9th century. In 969 a Papal Bull ordered the Abbott Pietro to restore the monastery and to start there a new Benedictine convent. Located between Perugia and Gubbio the abbey, that belonged to the Cluniac network within the 12th century, prospered over centuries, but declined from mid 16th century on, after it had become a "commanderie". The commandatory abbot recieved the abbey from the pope as a benefice and without taking up residence was entitle to the revenues of the abbey. In 1602 the abbey became the center of a large agricultural holding, before in 1749 it came into the possesion of Cistercian monks. The Abbey suffered strongly during the Napoleonic times. After the Risorgimento it became property of the State. The huge archive was transferred to public libraries, the works of art were moved to the National Gallery of Umbria. Later it passed through several private ownerships and now it is owned by the Gerolamo Gaslini Foundation based in Genova. The lower level of the cloister was completed under abbot Orator (1205-1222). There is an inscription near the entry "ISTIUS ORATOR / OPERIS FUIT EDI(FICATOR(?) /../PRO EO) SUPLICIUS ORA" (Orator commisioned this work - pray for him). A cloister is documented earlier and some parts used by Orator´s workers date back to the 9th or 10th century. The second level of the cloister was completed in 1207 (there is as well an inscription about). This level connects to the new abbey church, that was completed in 1318. We were very lucky to join a group that had booked a guided tour through the abbey.

The "Abbazia di Santa Maria di Valdiponte" ("Abbey of Montelabate") dates back to the 9th century. In 969 a Papal Bull ordered the Abbott Pietro to restore the monastry and to start there a new Benedictine convent. Located between Perugia and Gubbio the abbey, that belonged to the Cluniac network within the 12th century, prospered over centuries, but declined from mid 16th century on, after it had become a "commanderie". The commandatory abbot recieved the abbey from the pope as a benefice and without taking up residence was entitle to the revenues of the abbey. In 1602 the abbey became the center of a large agricultural holding, before in 1749 it came into the possesion of Cistercian monks. The Abbey suffered strongly during the Napoleonic times. After the Risorgimento it became property of the State. The huge archive was transferred to public libraries, the works of art were moved to the National Gallery of Umbria. Later it passed through several private ownerships and now it is owned by the Gerolamo Gaslini Foundation based in Genova. From outside it looks a bit like a fortess. We were very lucky to join a group that had booked a guided tour through the abbey.

The "Abbazia di Santa Maria di Valdiponte" ("Abbey of Montelabate") dates back to the 9th century. In 969 a Papal Bull ordered the Abbott Pietro to restore the monastry and to start there a new Benedictine convent. Located between Perugia and Gubbio the abbey, that belonged to the Cluniac network within the 12th century, prospered over centuries, but declined from mid 16th century on, after it had become a "commanderie". The commandatory abbot recieved the abbey from the pope as a benefice and without taking up residence was entitle to the revenues of the abbey. In 1602 the abbey became the center of a large agricultural holding, before in 1749 it came into the possesion of Cistercian monks. The Abbey suffered strongly during the Napoleonic times. After the Risorgimento it became property of the State. The huge archive was transferred to public libraries, the works of art were moved to the National Gallery of Umbria. Later it passed through several private ownerships and now it is owned by the Gerolamo Gaslini Foundation based in Genova. We were very lucky to join a group that had booked a guided tour through the abbey. www.montelabate.com/en