Nonantola Abbey

The Abbey is a former Nonantola exemte Cistercian abbey Benedictine and in the Italian city Nonantola at Modena, in the Emilia -Romagna.

History

It was founded in the year 752 Nonantola Abbey of Anselm, the brother in law of the Lombard Aistulf. Already 756 the mortal remains of St. Sylvester I were buried there. 780 of the abbey, the grounds of the Pieve di San Pietro a Gropina Karl was given the Great, monks of the abbey was built there, the predecessor of the still existing church. The abbey was founded in 883 for a conference between Charles III. and Marinus I. used. 889 there were numerous looting by the Hungarians. With the beginning of the Investiture Controversy, the monastery took the side of the Emperor, until it was forced in 1083 by Matilda of Tuscany, to stand on the side of the Pope. 1111 written the monk Placidus Nonantola his writing Liber de Honore Ecclesiae ( book about the honor of the Church ), probably one of the most important writings that emerged during the Investiture Controversy. The present abbey was built in the Romanesque style. An earthquake in 1117 damaged the Abbey in 1121 and began to rebuild. Thus, the monastery can be assigned to the 11th or 12th century due to its current design.

Gian Galeazzo Pepoli, the last abbot died, 1449th He was followed Kommendataräbte, including the future Pope Julius II and Carlo Borromeo. In 1514 the monastery passed to the Cistercians. Pope Pius VII was restored the abbey in 1821 and was annexed to the diocese of Modena and in 1866 the Italian government took over the monastery Nonantola. In 1926 came the abolition of the coming and the Bishop of Modena is also Abbot of Nonantola. In 1928 the Church of the Basilica was charged.

Architecture

The Abbey itself is located in the city center. The former medieval building consisted of several oratorios. A larger church was built in the 10th - 11th Century in the Carolingian style. It was only in the 12th century it came to the construction of a monastery. The church itself was built in the Romanesque style, with a nave and two side aisles. This structure represents an impressive civil engineering, at the priority of wood, stone and terracotta were utilized. The facade itself is decorated with pilasters and columns half-columns. A horizontal bar with the inscription 1117 points to the rebuilding of the church. In the 15th century it came to the construction of a loggia, which has arches on the ground floor and upstairs feature ornate terracotta columns. The Antiquarium of the abbey is housed today also there.

Facilities

Altar

The sarcophagus of St. Silvester used since its restoration 1913-17 as a high altar. In addition, there is the altar eight plates of marble, to show the episodes from the life of Pope Sylvester I.. These marble slabs were created by Jacopo de Silla Longhi in the years 1568-1572. Also on the altar of the urn of the Holy Year.

Crypt

The crypt of the Abbey has existed since the 10th or 11th century. The vault is supported by 64 columns and 20 Terracotta half-columns. Each capital is provided with decorative elements. From the 15th - 16th Century, this was closed for Betz alarm clock and restored 1913-1917. In addition, the remains of St. Anselm, Pope Hadrian III. , Senesius, Theopompus, Fosca and Anseride located in the crypt.

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