The Subiaco hillside monastery

28. Apr, 2011 0 Comments

A rooftop scene from Subiaco.

Subiaco is a town in the Italy’s Lazio region, and makes for a great day trip from Rome. It is famous as a religious and tourist resort for the holy grotto called Sacro Speco which is located inside St. Benedict’s Abbey, with the additional Abbey of St. Scholastica nearby. Moreover it is renowned as the earliest Italian city where books were being printed in 15th century.

Historic background of the region

Ancient settlers in this area were called the Aequi, meaning “people of Italy”. During 304 BC the Romans defeated the settlers, and introduced civilization as well as took benefit from the river water of the nearby Aniene river.

The name of this city (in Latin: Sublacus) originates from the artificial lake which was created when the river was dammed off by emperor Nero. Sublacus can be translated as “under the lakes”, which refers to the location of the town that grew in close proximity to the lake.

Unfortunately prosperity in the region didn’t last, and the entire town and villa were deserted shortly after the fall of the Roman empire, becoming nearly forgotten ruins in the passing of time.

The Subiaco Monastery

Subiaco’s main sight is without a doubt the spectacular hillside monastery, which provides entrance to the Sacro Speco, the sacred cave in which St. Benedict chose to live alone for three years. Thanks to this the monastery is a popular pilgrim’s destination, but the beautiful location of the complex (the monastery clings to a mountain cliff) makes it a prime stop for less-religious travelers as well.

Photo by XcBiker via Flickr.