VILLANOVA ABBEY

 Information leaflet

Piazza san Benedetto, 1 - 37047 San Bonifacio (VR) - Tel. and fax:  ++39.045.7610253
www.abbaziavillanova.org
 E-mail: abbazia@netbusiness.it

 

Historical Notes

Villanova di San Bonifacio is situated 25km from Verona and 30km from Vicenza, along state road no.11 (the ancient consolar roman road “Postumia”), in the province of Verona and the diocese of Vicenza. It is famous for its ancient Benedictine abbey dedicated to St. Peter and would appear to have been founded in 763 a.d. by St. Anselmo of Friuli.
In 1117 a violent earthquake damaged the church and belltower which were rebuilt by the Abbot Uberto of the Counts of San Bonifacio, in romanic style, between 1131 and 1138. Later, from 1390 to 1410, the Abbot Guglielmo of Modena restored the building in gothic style and built the belltower cell. The Olivetan monks (who served in the abbey from 1562 to 1771) made remarkable modifications in baroque style. In 1771 the Veneto Senate suppressed the monastry of St. Peter in Villanova so that, after 1008 years of monastic life (excepting just over a century from 1450 to 1562 in which monks were absent) it was included among the parish churches of the diocese of Vicenza.  On 23rd April 1949, with a concistorial decree, Pope Pio XII restored the title of “abbey” to St. Peter of Villanova.

 

THE  STYLES

In the church three different styles can be observed:
–  Romanic (Abbot Uberto of San Bonifacio): a) general structure of the church;
    b) lower part of the belltower.
–  Gothic (Abbot Guglielmo of Modena):a) rose-window of the facade;
    b) belltower cell with windows with three lights, spire and pinnacles.
-   Baroque (Olivetan monks): a) overstructure of the facade; b) angels of the central nave; c) gable vaults of the present ceiling
     which covers the original wood truss one; d) large staircase leading to the presbytery

 

 

The Interior

Inside there is a nave and two aisles supported by six equal pillars and four columns of varying ages and styles.

 

 

The Pleban Church

Wall of the right aisle: 

–   “Scenes from the life of St. Benedict” (frescos of the school of Giotto attributed to Martino and Jacopo of Verona; second half of the XIV century).

–   Baroque alter decorated with “The Martyrdom of St. Agatha” (painting attributed to Antonio Balestra of the XIV century).

–   “St. Catherine of Alessandria and St. Agostino” (fresco by unknown artist of the XIV century.

–  “St. Francesca Romana” (copy of a painting by Guercono of the XVII century).

Wall of the left aisle:

–   “The beatified Bernardo Tolomei” (painting by unknown artist of the XVII century).

–    Baroque alter with “Pietà” statue in painted stone (a magnificent sculpture attributed to Egidio di Wienerneustadt of the XV century).

–  “Six figures of Saints” (fresco by nknown artist of the XIV century).

 

 

 

 

The Presbytery

Wall on the right  
–  “Painting of St. Michael the Archangel” (painting by unknown Venetian artist with eastern influences, of the XV century). Apse on the right:  “The Annunciation” (fresco by unknown artist of the XIV century).

Wall of the central apse  
–  “St. Benedict in glory” (fresco by unknown artist of the XVIII century).  
–  “Ancona in stone” (splendid sculpture attributed to Antonio of Mestre of the XV century).  
–  “Roman style choir” (worked in walnut; XV century).

Lowered arch to the right: emblem of the Counts of San Bonifacio.

Lowered arch to the left:
–  Emblem of the Counts of San Bonifacio.  
–  Large, ornamental, Greek style fresco, depicting saints (fresco by unknown artist of the XIV century).

Left wall:

–  Door of the XVIII century, painted with the Olivetan emblem and privileges of the abbot.  
–  “St. Brigida” (painted by unknown artist of the XVIII century).  
–  “St. Francesca Romana” (copy of a painting by Guercino of the XVII century).  

 

The Crypt 

The beautiful crypt, supported by 24 columns, served as a winter church for the monks.

Left wall: “The trial and martyrdom of St. Agatha” (frescos by unknown artist  of the XIV century).

Left Apse: 

–  “Christ in almond between two saints”  (fresco by unknown artist of the XIV centurry).

–  “Byzantine Pluteus” (magnificent sculpture by unknown artist of the VIII century).

Central Apse: 

–  To the east: small alter made up of a burial stone and elements found underground.

–  To the west: tomb of the venerable don Giuseppe Ambrosini, whose beatification is under way.

Right Apse: “Triptych of the Annunciation” (sculpture by unknown artist of the XV century).

 

 

Further works and curiosITIES

–  Three tomb stones found during the renewal of the abbey floor in 1963.  
–  Several paintings by an unknown artist of the XVII century (Apostles and Saints).  
–  A roman votive alter to Jupiter the best and most high.  
–  Further items made of cast-off materials of the roman era.

 

The cloisters  

Of the ancient cloisters can be admired some columns and arches in gothic style, underpinned during the baroque age along the north and west sides. These structures are not recognizable along the east and south sides. The four walls enclose a small garden.

 

 

The monastry

Several rooms remain, which have undergone the inevitable modifications attributable to the hand of both time and man. At present the monastry is undergoing restoration.

 

The monastic courtyard

The large internal space of the “curtis monastica” is still perfectly recognizable. This is enclosed by walls and old buildings (“barchesse”) which in part are derelict and now belong to private owners.

 

 

How to reach the abbey
The Abbey of Villanova is 25km from Verona and 30km from Vicenza, along the state road no. 11. For those arriving by motorway, leave the Serenissima Motorway at the Soave-San Bonifacio exit and turn left towards Vicenza. The Abbey is just 1km away. By train, descend at the station of San Bonifacio on the Milan-Venice line. The Abbey is 15 minutes walk away.