Sassovivo Abbey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sassovivo Abbey
Abbazia di Sassovivo
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Frazione
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Sassovivo Abbey
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 Sassovivo Abbey
Location in Italy
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| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Umbria |
| Province | Perugia |
| Comune | Foligno |
| Elevation | 565 m (1,854 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postcode |
06034
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| Area code(s) | 0742 |
The Abbey of Sassovivo is an old Benedictine monastery in central Italy. It is located in a region called Umbria. This abbey is part of a town called Foligno. It's like a small village or area within that town.
Contents
Where is Sassovivo Abbey?
The Abbey of Sassovivo is found in an old oak forest. It is about 6 kilometers (4 miles) away from the town of Foligno. The abbey sits on a rocky hill, 565 meters (1,854 feet) high. From this spot, it looks out over the beautiful Valle Umbra valley.
History of the Abbey
How Sassovivo Abbey Started
The Benedictine monks built this abbey around the year 1070. It was likely started by a monk named Mainhard. He came from another place called Santa Maria di Sitria. The abbey was built on the site of an old castle. This castle belonged to a family called Monaldi. People believe that the ancient Umbri people used this spot as a special holy place long ago.
How the Abbey Grew
The abbey quickly became very powerful and important. This happened because many people gave it gifts and land. By 1138, the abbey owned land and buildings in many places. These included areas from Rome to Perugia, Spoleto, and Camerino. In the years that followed, it controlled 97 other monasteries. It also had 41 churches and 7 hospitals. Later, in the late 1400s, the abbey became part of the Olivetan Benedictine group.
Decline and New Life
The abbey started to lose its power in the 1400s. During the Napoleonic Wars, parts of it were closed down. In 1860, after the fall of the Papal States, its lands were split up. Some went to the Italian state, some to the local church, and some to private families. Today, the Abbey of Sassovivo is owned by three different groups. Part belongs to the Diocese of Foligno (the local church). Another part belongs to the Italian government. The third part is owned by a private family.
In 1979, the Bishop of Foligno asked a group of monks to live there. This group is called the Little Brothers of Jesus Caritas. They still live and work at the abbey today.
Restorations and Earthquakes
From the 1970s to the 1990s, a lot of work was done to fix up the abbey. The church part of the abbey is still being repaired. It was damaged by an earthquake in 1997.
What to See at Sassovivo Abbey
Here are some interesting parts of the abbey you can visit:
- The Romanesque Cloister: This is a beautiful courtyard built in 1229. Abbot Angelo asked a stonemason named Pietro de Maria to build it. It has a rectangular shape with 58 arches. These arches are held up by 128 small, twisted columns. The tops of the columns have lily designs and colorful mosaic pieces. A large water tank was added in 1340, and a well in 1623. You can also see an old painting here. It shows the Virgin Mary sitting with the Child Jesus from the 1300s.
- The Monastery: Inside the main monastery building, you can find a fresco (wall painting) of the Last Supper. This painting was made in 1595. The dormitories, where the monks slept, are from the 1200s.
- Loggia del Paradiso: This is a special porch or balcony area. It has small pieces of frescoes from the 1400s.
- Crypt of the Blessed Alano: This is an old underground room from the 1000s. It is what remains of Santa Maria in Valle, which was the very first part of Sassovivo Abbey.
- Passeggiata dell'Abate: This means "Abbot's Walk." It is a peaceful path through the woods. You can see many oak trees, juniper bushes, and Aleppo pine trees along the way.
