The Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, also known as the "Abbazia di Sant'Angelo", is a place of worship located in Taurano, on the street of the same name. Located on a spur of bare limestone rock, which constitutes the highest part of the Irpinia town, overlooking even the underlying Lauro, the history of this religious complex is linked to its belonging to different orders: first to the Basilians, monks of the Greek rite, then to the Benedictines and, finally, to the Curia of Nola.
In the 12th a read more
The Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, also known as the "Abbazia di Sant'Angelo", is a place of worship located in Taurano, on the street of the same name. Located on a spur of bare limestone rock, which constitutes the highest part of the Irpinia town, overlooking even the underlying Lauro, the history of this religious complex is linked to its belonging to different orders: first to the Basilians, monks of the Greek rite, then to the Benedictines and, finally, to the Curia of Nola.
In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Abbey experienced a moment of expansion and splendor, acquiring an important role in the entire Vallo di Lauro. After a period of crisis, in the 15th century a Confraternity of the Body of Christ was born there, which operated until the early 1900s, also acting as a nursing home for the religious of the monasteries of the entire area.
Today, the Abbey is sober and elegant, characterized by architectural and structural elements belonging to different eras (early medieval, baroque and contemporary). The original structure, following the restoration of the 16th century, was incorporated into the new monumental complex, altered in its baroque decorations by subsequent interventions and consisting of: church, abbot's residence, some service rooms and a large room used as cellars.
The Church of Sant'Angelo present inside the structure stands out for its 16th century portal, in gray tuff and decorated with plant motifs, as well as for its rectangular plan and single nave, on which six side chapels open, three on each side, of different depths. To enhance the artistic value of the religious building, there are numerous frescoes, including the "Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan".
Between heaven and earth, the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo represents not only the religious symbol of the community of Taurano, but also one of the architectural emblems of the Vallo di Lauro, together with the nearby Lancellotti Castle of Lauro. read less
