Abbazia di Santa Fede, Cavagnolo

Beautiful, free.

Very well maintained. Very beautiful church and mystical place that dates back to about 900 years ago. A voice guide explains all the internal and external features. There is also a small shop selling local products. A pleasant trip to discover the Piedmontese Romanesque.

The abbey of Santa Fede is a religious complex located in the municipality of Cavagnolo, in the province of Turin. The ancient abbey church, with its Romanesque elegance which has been preserved over time, is of particular artistic interest. It dates back to the mid-22nd century. (Wikipedia). To visit absolutely. There are many Romanesque abbeys in Piedmont.

In the municipality of Cavagnolo, the abbey appears since 1164 in the priory of S Fede granted by Frederick Barbarossa to his uncle William the Elder. In the late Romanesque style, in the 1500s it became a rural and cemetery church. Three-nave church with a single apse is made up of blocks of masonry and bricks. The facade has a magnificent entrance portal surmounted by a mullioned window. The anthropomorphic capitals of the interior sculpted with a plant, animal and human head theme are beautiful. A one-aisle beautiful fresco of the Virgin Mary enthroned with the child and two saints. The internal narrator that guides the visitor is very useful and commendable. Well done!!! Curiosity: on the outside of the façade on the left towards the bottom, the inscription relating to a certain Prior named Rolando appears. Going to visit it is a further enrichment of the "Romanesque Hill Network" itinerary

Romanesque is very widespread in this area. Santa Fede is a splendid example. For some years some nuns have managed the visits, ensuring welcome and openness. Well worth a visit!