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Monastery of Trisulti

November 9, 2009
Geotag Icon (map) Collepardo, Lazio

trisulti1 Monastery of TrisultiMonastic life was started at Trisulti, situated at the foot of Mt. Rotonario, by St.Dominic of Foligno, a great reformer and founder of Benedictine abbeys in southern Latium. In the year 1000, he built a magnificent monastery, most of which still stands.

After two centuries of Benedictine life, Pope Innocent III decreed in 1204 that the abbey and its possessions should pass to the Carthusians, who sent four lay trisulti2 Monastery of Trisultibrothers there with the task of building a new monastery suitable for their type of monastic life and safe from falling rock. Even today, wire webbing covers cliffs on the side of the road leading to the monastery. In 1211, a new church was consecrated and dedicated to the apostle St. Bartholomew, again by Pope Innocent III.

Since 1947 the monastery has been looked after by the Cistercians of Casamari who carry on their lives interwoven with work and prayer. trisulti3 Monastery of TrisultiThe small group of six monks has given new life to the buildings and grounds, welcoming tourists daily.

On our visit, Don Claudio joyously showed us around. His stories behind the spectacular buildings, paintings and frescoes made the one-hour tour seem like ten minutes. If you have only one monastery on your list to visit, make it this one.

trisulti4 Monastery of Trisulti



– Contributed by Evanne Brandon Diner (see bio), chronicler of local village life in Northern Lazio, and property restoration and purchasing consultant. www.lavventuraitalia.com


8 responses to “Monastery of Trisulti”

  1. tamryn November 9, 2009 at 3:13 pm | | Reply

    What a wonderful new feature that allows those beautiful photos to blow up before our eyes. Really makes the Notes come alive even more! Thanks………

  2. Diane Beck November 9, 2009 at 3:59 pm | | Reply

    I particularly love the old-time pharmacy “museum” at Trisulti with it’s old jars of “deer horns”, etc. We often buy a monk-made liquor before exiting the grounds. My son likes the huge sundial on the side of one of the buildings…it seems most accurate! An enjoyable visit on a sunny day…bring a picnic and eat it in the forest near the parking lot.

  3. Penny Ewles-Bergeron November 9, 2009 at 4:38 pm | | Reply

    Sumptuous photos! Love the green/blue of the pool…

  4. Valorie November 9, 2009 at 6:27 pm | | Reply

    absolutely beautiful!! thank you!

  5. Sylvia Flores November 9, 2009 at 10:10 pm | | Reply

    Wow, breathtaking! Thank you for sharing! I miss Italy…your pictures and stories keep me connected!

  6. Frank Bettinelli November 9, 2009 at 11:40 pm | | Reply

    THANKS FOR ADDING THE ENLARGING FEATURE TO THE PICTURES. IT REALLY
    GIVES A BETTER PERSPECTIVE TO THE NOTES, AS THERE IS A BETTER VISUALIZATION WITH THE ENLARGEMENTS…………THANKS, AGAIN

  7. linda November 10, 2009 at 2:08 am | | Reply

    I love this wonderful location, it always makes me happy.

  8. Lesley fanelli December 23, 2009 at 1:16 pm | | Reply

    There’s also the hidden side of Trisulti with its hidden symbolism and connections to the Templars…

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