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Benedictine and Franciscan Monks: Forgotten Inventors

   Usually, when we think of religious orders, these things come to mind: a cloister, an abbey, a library, prayer in solitude, detachment from the world… All this in the cradle of a period defined as "dark" by historiography up to Romanticism: the Middle Ages . In this period the monks - especially the Benedictines of the various orders - were the custodians of Judeo-Christian but also classical culture, since thanks to their patient and meticulous transcriptions as scribes we have received almost all of the Greek and Latin works which we study today. Today we are grateful to them first of all for this.   However, many do not know that many products - material and immaterial - that we consume and use every day, come from monks who, using their ingenuity nourished by a profound spirituality, invented them due to practical necessities.    Personally, I find it amazing!    Let's begin…   The heavy plow   Plows were a primary agri...
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The Monasteries of Subiaco are a UNESCO site.

 

The Monasteries of Subiaco, including the Sacro Speco and the Monastery of Santa Scolastica, have been nominated as UNESCO candidates. This award celebrates the rich Benedictine monastic heritage and their influence on European history.

This decision was made by the Italian National Commission for UNESCO, chaired by Franco Bernabè, as a recognition of the historical and cultural importance of these places. In particular, two monasteries, the Sacro Speco and the Monastery of Santa Scolastica, stand out for their significant Benedictine heritage. The Sacro Speco is the place where Saint Benedict of Norcia meditated and wrote the famous Benedictine "Rule," a document that has profoundly influenced monastic life. Here, the Saint spent three years in prayer, giving life to the rule "Ora Et Labora," which emphasizes the balance between prayer and work. This site is an important piece in the history of Christian spirituality.

A heritage to be protected: other candidate monasteries

 


In addition to the monasteries, which undoubtedly also represent attractions of Subiaco, other Italian Benedictine monasteries have also been proposed as UNESCO sites. The Benedictine Abbey of Farfa in Fara Sabina and the Abbey of Montecassino in Cassino are officially candidates for recognition as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It was approved, in fact, in recent days, the framework agreement with the Italian municipalities that host the abbeys of the complex of Benedictine settlements candidates for UNESCO. The complex includes 8 Italian monasteries of the early Middle Ages, of which 3 are located in Lazio: Fara Sabina in the province of Rieti, Cassino in the province of Frosinone, and Subiaco in the province of Rome. The project is supported by a Scientific Committee composed of scholars and researchers from the universities, together with technical support from the Ministry of Culture, the Regions, the local authorities, and the Abbots of each monastery.

The future: steps towards UNESCO
 


The Benedictine community of Subiaco welcomes with enthusiasm this nomination, which represents a recognition of their contribution to the construction of Europe both from a spiritual and cultural point of view. The Abbot of Subiaco, Don Mauro Meacci, underlines the importance of this nomination and the additional visibility that will lead to their monasteries and the sites of Subiaco in general. The path of the monastic complex of the Aniene Valley towards UNESCO status is still ongoing. After a series of steps, the nomination will be officially transmitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre by February 2026. This nomination represents a significant step in the preservation and promotion of the Benedictine heritage and its deep historical and cultural significance for Europe and the whole world.

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Today's Blogger

My name is Giulia Cinti, and I am a 15-year-old student living in Subiaco. I am currently enrolled in the third year of the liceo classico. Besides my passion for ancient languages, I also enjoy studying modern European languages. In the future, I aspire to pursue a career in law and specialize in international law. I have a deep appreciation for art and culture, often visiting exhibitions, museums, and other places of cultural interest in my free time. Besides all that, I love dedicating my time to volunteer work at the canteen of the Community of Sant'Egidio in Rome.
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