Monastero di Santa Scolastica, Subiaco

Magical. Must visit if in the area. In the early 6th century Benedict of Nursia, a man from a well-to-do family who was educated at Rome, retired to a grotto near an ancient Roman Villa in Subiaco, in the mountains of north Latium (Lazio). His reputation as a spiritual guide quickly drew disciples to him there, including many of his old Roman friends, who also settled in the area. Over the years, no fewer than thirteen monastic communities arose around Subiaco, including the one that would come to be named for St. Scholastica, Benedict's sister and herself a monastic. Eventually, seeking greater solitude, Benedict would retire to Monte Cassino, where the same process would be repeated. In the 9th century, St. Scholastica's Abbey was twice destroyed by the Saracens, in 828-829 and 876–877. But it was restored, and grew in the tenth century thanks to the patronage and favour of several popes, many of whom were, in fact, Benedictine monks. As for monastic establishments throughout Europe, the 11th and 12thcenturies were a golden age for the abbey, when it boasted vast lands, a large number of monks, and elaborate, ornate liturgy. With economic power came political power as well. In the thirteenth century, a sanctuary was erected over the cave where St. Benedict had dwelt, the Sacro Speco or "Holy Cave". Riches also brought covetousness, and the abbey's prestige brought it enemies. Long power struggles with the feudal establishment weakened the abbey, and decadence set in when Calixtus III made Juan de Torquemada (uncle of the famous inquisitor) commendatory abbot. Subsequently, powerful families tied to the papacy controlled it. Rodrigo Borgia (later the infamous Alexander VI) held the commendatory abbacy in 1467. The Colonna (1492), Borghese (1608), and Barberini (1633) families would also gain control of its revenues. Some took their ownership of the abbey seriously and tried to restore it, but most were content to exploit its revenues, sometimes without even ever visiting the monastery. The spiritual well-being of the monks was rarely a concern.

Old monastery of the Benedectin order, one of the oldest, still functioning.only a part of the monastery is allowed to visit. The monastery also hosts the first lithography press in Italy. Ample car park.

If you visit this place and are truly interested in visiting every hidden corner of the Monastery (including the caves), make sure you book a private guide who is a priest. We went on a tour with Don Maurizio and were able to go through a side entrance and see so much more than other groups, who had to line up to get inside from the main entrance. Gorgeous and well kept Monastery!

A majestic place! Stupendous! Definitely visit the next time you are in Italy. Wonderfully preserved and so much art and history to be seen in both monasteries. In a day, you can visit both monasteries, Nero's villa which is spread in the valley below Santa Scolastica, the town of Subiaco with it's castle and wonderfully preserved medieval bridge, and various other roman ruins in the area.

Its lil hard to find, they have a museum and and try to take a guided visit. The guide was amazing. The Abbey of Saint Scholastica, also known as Subiaco Abbey, is located just outside the town of Subiaco in the Province of Rome, Region of Lazio, Italy; and is still an active Benedictine order, territorial abbey, first founded in the 6th century AD by Saint Benedict of Nursia.