AN OUTLINE OF ITS HISTORY

The Abbey's origins seem to date back to the Middle Ages. Proof of this is: some graven marble located in the holy building, the byzantine pluteus, the crypt and nave columns. The little apse on the left of the crypt makes us believe of the existence of a paleochristian temple built around 763 and probably destroyed during an earthquake in 1117. The first documents about the abbey date back to the beginning of the XII century. The present romanic building was completed in 1131 by the abbot Uberto, member of the Lords of San Bonifacio. In 1168 a papal bull defined the boundaries and established the rights between the abbey and the contiguous parish of San Bonifacio. The pope Lucio III took the monastery under his protection and protected the rights and the integrity of the goods (1185). Eight years later the emperor Henry VI gave the abbot Riprando and his successors multiple properties and the civil jurisdiction on them. In the XIII century the benefactors and protectors Lords of San Bonifacio were banished. Right after the abbey started a decadence period and suffered destruction, pillages and damages by the Lords Ezzelini and Scaligeri. In 1315 the abbot Sperandio was elected bishop of Vicenza. In 1331 another abbot of Villanova became the hundredth bishop of Verona. In the late 1300 the abbot Guglielmo from Modena completed a very important work. He restored the church, the bell-tower, the walls and the buildings nearby, which were all in ruinous conditions. He brought the abbatial monument to its original spendour. During the first half of the XV century the abbey was given 'in commendam', that is in administration to high prelates. Later Torquato Bembo returned the 'commenda' to the pope Pio IV, who entrusted the abbey to the Monte Oliveto congregation. The Olivetans (or 'White Benedictines') took the place of the Black ones. On the 12th of September 1771 the Venetian Senate suppressed the monastery, all its goods and rights. Since then Villanova turned into a parish depending on the diocese of Vicenza. On the 23rd of April 1949 the Holy Father Pio XII gave the ancient and great church of "San Pietro apostolo" the title of 'abbey' and to its parish priest the title of 'abbot' and the right to wear the ring.

• THE ABBEY INTERIOR is characterized by three historical artistic styles: Romanic, Gothic-Renaissance and Baroque. The abbey is 33 mt. long, 14 mt. wide and 12 mt. high.
  
  
• THE CHURCH TOWER is devided in two parts: the lower is believed to be the remains of an antique guard-tower built in 1131. The higher part was most likely built by the abbot Guglielmo from Modena. The tower is 40 mt. high and 9x9 mt. wide.
  
  
• THE ABBEY INTERIOR has a nave and two aisles, without transept and closed by three apses.
  
  
• FRESCOS OF THE GIOTTO'S SCHOOL are on the left of the church. There are 18 panels showing St. Benedetto's life and are believed to have been painted by Martino and Jacopo from Verona in 1400.
  
  
• There are three ALTARS in the church:
  - the main altar, which dates back to the baroque period;
  - the left altar, with Our Lady of Sorrows and her Son., a sculpture of the XV century;
  - the right altar, with a painting showing St.Agata and painted in 1700.
  
  
• THE CRIPT is under the presbytery and it is divided into five small naves with 24 columns. It probably dates back to XII century but some remains, such as the 'pluteus', are believed to be of a paleochristian temple. A very remarkable work of art is the 'Annunciation group', a gothic sculpture. Since 1963 the cript contains the tomb of a venerable priest, father Giuseppe Ambrosini.
  
  
• Stately baroque stairs go from the lower church to the PRESBITERY , which is rich of wonderful works of art such as: 'The painting of St.Michael, the Archangel', the roman choir and the 'St.Peter's graven ancon'.
  
  
• THE MONASTERY construction started in the XII century. The benedictine monastery is divided in two parts. The north-west has gothic arches now included in the walling. The south-east has two floors. During the last century the monastery suffered many transformations.
  
  
• THE RURAL BUILDINGS are located on the south-east of the monastery, and they first appeared on maps around 1700. They consist of two buildings with arcades and also suffered many alterations.

The restoration of the Monastery is necessary and of extremely urgency. In order to achieve this goal we need your help. The cost will most likely exceed two million US dollars. All donations are welcome and fully tax reducible, according to the italian laws.