(map) 
The Abbazia di Farfa was one of the most powerful Benedictine monasteries of medieval Europe and played a major role in the struggles for power between the Holy Roman Empire and the Pope. As early as the 7th century, it nurtured its role in opposing the power of the Papacy.
These were periods of great instability due to repeated invasions in the area as well as the plague, but the Abbey’s spread of knowledge regarding new technologies made it a wealthy center under the protection of the Dukes of Spoleto and the Longobard kings.
Problems within the Benedictine Order and the struggle for the Papacy during the 12th century however, led the Abbey to eventually fall under the control of the Papal States.
(Part II here)
– Contributed by Evanne Brandon Diner (see bio), chronicler of local village life in Northern Lazio, and property restoration and purchasing consultant. www.lavventuraitalia.com
Does anyone remember the old 1960s talk about The Sounds of Silence? Here it is!
[...] ..cont’d from part 1 [...]