Friends of S. Vincenzo al Volturno Non-Profit Organization

A secular, apolitical, non-profit association, with the aim to rediscover and valorize the cultural patrimony connected to the Benedictine monastery in the Upper Volturno Valley .

SAN VINCENZO AL VOLTURNO AN ANCIENT HISTORY

San Vincenzo al Volturno's Abbey was created in 703 AD by three young monks from Benevento (Paldo, Taso, and Tato) who founded the initial monastic nucleus of San Vincenzo Minore.  In the first eighty years it developed under the protection of the Longobard Duchy of Benevento , and then continued in its ascent under the Franco-Carolingian Empire's tutelage.  With Autperto (the abbot in 778 AD), it became one of the first European Benedictine monasteries.  With Charlemagne, as the monastery was located on the southern border of the Carolingian empire, it received protection and privileges, including that of immunity and the right to freely elect the abbot (787 AD).  In the Carolingian period, the abbots Giosuè, (792-817 AD), Talarico (817-823 AD), and Epifanio (824-842 AD) completed the monastic complex's development and embellishment, transforming it into a monastic city, on the left bank of the Volturno river, where, still today, it is possible to admire the imposing ruins of the Basilica of San Vincenzo Maggiore and the stupendous frescoes of Epifanio's Crypt.  Having become powerful and famous, in 881 AD the Abbey was attacked, pillaged and destroyed by the Saracens.  Reconstructed after 913 AD, from 980 AD onward it witnessed the birth of many small human settlements that will form and give life to the settlements of the Upper Volturno Valley .  Faced with an increasing number of ambushes by aggressors and local feudatories, the Abbey was transferred and entirely reconstructed in its actual location, as it was more secure, and reconsecrated in 1115 AD by Pope Pasquale II.   

The most insidious attack arrived after 1139 from Ruggero II, king of the Normans, who – at seeing that the monks refused the  nomination of an Abbot faithful to him, dispossessed the Abbey of all its treasures and of its authority, and made the Abbey pay dearly for its autonomy and loyalty to the Church of Rome.  In the years following 1150, various events, both natural and non, contributed to the Abbey's decline.  And in this manner its history is interrupted.

The Abbey's history began again some centuries later with facts and dates that signal its rebirth:

●  1832:  By chance Epifanio's crypt was discovered;

●  1942:  The duke Catemario donates the properties of the Abbey in San Vincenzo al Volturno to Montecassino

●  1965:  After World War II, the Abbey's Basilica is reconsecrated, and the reconstruction is based on a project by don Angelo Pantoni, a monk from Montecassino

●  1980:  Prof. Richard Hodges ( British School , Rome ), begins the excavations

●  1990:  On the 14^th of May, the Benedictine nuns, who come from the Abbey Regina Laudis in Connecticut ( USA ), come to reside in the actual seat, revitalizing the Abbey of San Vincenzo al Volturno that remains an enclave of the Montecassino Monastery.

●  1993:  The Abbot Bernardo D'Onorio, with the contribution by the Region of Molise, begins Archaeological Park 's construction and the realization of a project for the valorization of San Vincenzo al Volturno's Monastic City ;

●  1997:  The excavations, the research, the studies, and the restoration, continue with the Archaeological Mission of the Institute of Suor Orsola Benincasa in Naples , controlled by the Superintedency of Archaeological Goods and the same Region of Molise.

In this corner of the Upper Volturno Valley , in a magnificent scenario of natural beauty and in the heart of the National Park of Abruzzo , Lazio and Molise , many indications of Benedictine culture and civilization can be found.  These regard:

●  Early Medieval history, both written and non, that witnessed the Abbey as a protagonist (less than five-hundred years from its foundation) in different situations:  in its relations with the Papacy, the Longobard duchy of Benevento, the Franco-Carolingian Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Norman kingdom, the other Abbeys (mainly that of Montecassino), and the other communities;

●  Archaeological findings with the remains of the mural and pictorial works, that have lead several scholars to define San Vincenzo al Volturno's monastic complex "the Pompei of the Middle Ages";

●  Proof of ancient activities: production and binding of books,  workmanship of metals, glass, enamel, ceramics, terracotta, bells;

●  Manuscripts (among which the "Chronicon Vulturnense" by the Abbot Giovanni, compiled between 1115 and 1136 AD): "The Commentary on the Apocalypse" by the Abbot Autperto and his other works that contributed to the introduction of the cult of Maria Mediatrice into the western world

●  The actual monastic presence:  sign of life, of continuity, of religious and spiritual evocation, of cultural and artisan activity, that -  among other things – in the silence of daily work and prayer recalls those ancient activities and traditions.

Since several years ago the Abbey has been the seat of international religious and cultural interests:

■  1982:  The Convention on Meridional Medieval Studies "A great Abbey of the early Middle Ages in Molise – San Vincenzo al Volturno" (Venafro – San Vincenzo al Volturno);

■  2000:  Seminar on the theme "Role and Perspectives of Benedictine monasticism in the society of the third millennium" organized by the Abbot of Montecassino and the Lions Club of Isernia;

■  2002:  Visit from C.A. Ciampi, President of the Republic

■  Religious apostolate courses (of residential nature and with a minimum duration of three months) designed for people who would like to give their life and activities a spiritual value, run by the Monastic Community (Monastic Cultural Experience, ECM).

■  Admission for spiritual retreat in the guesthouse adjacent to the Abbey

■ Music courses both for preparation and improvement, and classical music contests for young talents (piano, guitar), organized by Pro Loco in Rochetta al Volturno.

Many essays and books regarding San Vincenzo al Volturno, have been published  by various authors; among them the following:

●  1980:  Le chiese e gli edifici di San Vincenzo al Volturno

    A. Pantoni – Abbey of Montecassino;

●  1985:  Acts of the first convention on meridional Medieval studies Una grande Abbazia altomeridionale nel nel Molise – San Vincenzo al Volturno edited by don F. Avagliano – Abbey of Montecassino;

●  1994: San Vincenzo al Volturno: architettura ed arte, F. Valente – Abbey of Montecassino;

●  1994:  La basilica di Josue, R. Hodges, J. Mitchell – Abbey of Montecassino;

●  1994:  Cultura e società a San Vincenzo al Volturno, AA.VV. – edited by F. Marazzi – Abbey of Montecassino;

●  1995:  San Vincenzo al Volturno – Dal CHRONICON alla STORIA, AA.VV. – Regional Historical Institute of Molise, edited by G. De Benedictis, C. Iannone Editore, Isernia;

●  1997:  Storia dell'arte nell'Italia Meridionale dei Longobardi agli Svevi, F. Abate – Donzelli;

●  2004:  San Vincenzo al Volturno, AA.VV. – Regional Historical Institute of Molise , edited by N. Paone, Iannone Editore, Isernia.

In addition, in the territory of the Ancient " Land of San Vincenzo "  afferent to the Abbey of the same name, initiatives that are being established and traditions that are being rediscovered have a noteworthy cultural significance.  CASTEL SAN VINCENZO is the seat of:  an archaeological Museum, where many remains from San Vincenzo al Volturno's archaeological area can be found;  recomposition laboratories, as well as laboratories for the study and recomposition of  frescoed plasters; cultural associations including TREMISSE and ONORATO FASCITELLI, that are occupied with the area's historical, artistic and environmental valorization.  CASTELNUOVO AL VOLTURNO: organizes the pantomime of the DEER-MAN once a year, on the last Sunday of Mardi Gras.  SCAPOLI:  the National Bagpipe Museum hosts instruments that come from all over the world, and for its visitor proposes the characteristics of a centuries-old activity. 

THE NATIONAL PARK OF ABRUZZO, LAZIO AND MOLISE runs two naturalistic museums: the BEAR MUSEUM in Pizzone and the APENNINE FAUNA MUSEUM in Castel San Vincenzo.

In the immediate future the Association will activate initiatives with the intention to valorize the cultural patrimony connected to the San Vincenzo al Volturno site, respecting both  the location's sanctity and the Abbot of Montecassino's authority.  These initiatives will be developed in different manners, times and areas, but will all be inspired by the same intent:

VALORIZATION OF THE PAST LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE

●  Organize encounters, debates, conferences, studies, research to rediscover the roots, the past and the culture of the Benedictine sites located in different areas of the Region of Molise and/or in other Regions.  ●  Raise awareness in the students of every kind of school and institute, as well as in the citizens of the area, so that San Vincenzo al Volturno will be considered an important historical and cultural resource, not simply a historical "curiosity".  ●  Support the monastic community of S. Vincenzo al Volturno in order to promote the teaching of artisan workmanship techniques, typical of the Benedictine monastic society:  from the precious art of bookbinding, to metalworking, enamel work and ceramics.  ●  Guarantee all visitors the possibility to access the archaeological areas and the usage of indispensable infrastructures that are adequate for the physically challenged and non:  parking, toilet facilities, bar, news-stand.  ●  Stimulate awareness about the fact that a correct and attentive valorization of the San Vincenzo al Volturno site, with absolute respect for its sanctity, constitutes, moreover, a source for economic and work-related development.  ●  Encourage the planning and the eventual realization of a Benedictine Studies Center and/or an Early Medieval Culture Studies Center in San Vincenzo al Volturno.  ●  Involve the institutional Authorities in the entire project:  the Abbot of Montecassino, the Region of Molise, the Province of Isernia and finally the Communities of the Upper Volturno Valley, founded around the year 1000 AD by Benedictine monks from the same Abbey:  Acquaviva, Castelnuovo, Castel San Vincenzo/Castellone, Cerasuolo (Filignano), Cerro, Colli, Forli del Sannio, Fornelli, Montaquila, Pizzone, Rocchetta, Santa Maria Oliveto (Pozzilli), Scapoli.

HOW TO REACH SAN VINCENZO AL VOLTURNO

The monastery can be reached from the A2 Rome-Naples, exits San Vittore and Caianello, and then the state roads n. 6 or 85 for Venafro: upon reaching Roccaravindola turn for Roccaraso SS. 158 until Colli al Volturno, continue until Bivio Cerro, exit Castel San Vincenzo.  From the A14, exit A24 Pescara - Rome until Sulmona-Pratola Peligna, continue on the SS 17 for Roccaraso, Castel di Sangro, Rionero Sannitico and there will be the turn for Cerro al Volturno-Castel San Vincenzo.  As an alternative, from the A14 if you are coming from the southern Italian Adriatic regions, exit at the highway toll stop Val di Sangro and continue on the SS652 Fondo Valle Sangro until arriving at the turn for Cerro al Volturno, then continue for Castel San Vincenzo.

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