Santa Maria d'Orsoleo Abbey

Sant'Arcangelo, Italy

Santa Maria d'Orsoleo, intended for the Observant Franciscan Friars, was built in 1474 by Eligio II della Marra, the Prince of Stigliano and Count of Aliano, expanding upon a previous 12th-century chapel.

The ancient wooden statue of the Madonna of Orsoleo, possibly from the 13th century, is still venerated today and celebrated every year on September 8th. The church that houses it, attached to the complex and lavishly adorned, features a notable wooden choir behind the main altar. Among the sculpted figures, there is also a Madonna with Child seated amidst branches of a tree, with a bear and a lion at her feet.

Various additions made over the years improved the structure, making it increasingly rich. The complex, which never lacked resources, thanks in part to generous donations, was once equipped with a library, a pharmacy, a mill, an oven, an ice house, an olive press, and two cisterns. The rooms were also enriched by a cycle of frescoes by the Lucanian painter Giovanni Todisco di Abriola, depicting episodes from the lives of saints and Christ, such as the Adoration of the Magi, which bears the painter's signature, as well as scenes of the Triumph of Death and Faith.

The nearby Torre Molfese, located along the road leading to the monastery, is believed to have originally served as a watchtower to protect travelers on their way to the convent.

The suppression of the monastic orders in 1861 led to the definitive decline and gradual abandonment of the entire complex.

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Sant'Arcangelo, Italy
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Details

Founded: 1474
Category: Religious sites in Italy

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Salvatore Ligori (15 months ago)
Very suggestive place, imposing and interesting structure, however it needs restoration and maintenance interventions. A special thanks goes to the local volunteers who with great availability make the site usable.
Gennaro Cudemo (17 months ago)
Ruins of the church of San Michele Arcangelo "Archistrategos" on the hill of Orsoleo.
Crampo Ny (2 years ago)
Very suggestive and interesting convent. Attached scenographic museum, frescoes and much more. Modest entry fee but worth it all.
Ilario Bonomi (3 years ago)
Well-recovered fifteenth-century convent and church, of which the church can be seen, while the convent, in its oldest part with its frescoes which have been recovered, is only open on Saturdays and Sundays as a museum (what sense it has is not clear ). In the church there is a beautiful wooden false ceiling and, in the room behind the altar, a series of beautiful carved stalls and what remains of the fresco in the dome (17th century). Also very beautiful is the Madonna and Child, from the thirteenth century, with curious papier-mâché dresses (from the seventeenth century).
Pier_local_guide (4 years ago)
The monastery is a pearl to visit absolutely. The visit to the multimedia museum is really interesting. I highly recommend.
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