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Medieval Museum of Fossanova: a two-act tale in the abbey’s old guest quarters
In the heart of the village of Fossanova, the old guest quarters of the Cistercian abbey is home to an unexpected collection. The Medieval Museum of Fossanova tells not one, but two parallel stories. On the one hand, it displays finds from the ancient city of Privernum and documents its transition into the Middle Ages. On the other, it reveals the secrets of the daily life of the monks who built this place. It is a fully immersive experience.
A fresco from ancient Privernum
The first part of the museum itinerary is a plunge into the Early Middle Ages. Here one can admire fragments of sculptures, small pillars and interlaced capitals, which once adorned a 9th-century church. An 11th-century fresco depicts the Virgin in Prayer and Queen, a Byzantine image that once adorned the base of an altar, with archangels at her sides.
The daily life of the monks
The narrative continues with the lives of the abbey's builders. Large watercolours illustrate what the buildings looked like in the 13th century, with cross-sections revealing their interiors. Then there are everyday objects, from ceramics recovered in the butti, the ancient rubbish pits, to jugs and pitchers. One detail not to be overlooked: the museum is located in the very building where, according to tradition, Thomas Aquinas drew his last breath.
For opening hours and tickets, it is advisable to consult the official website of the museum network of Priverno or of the Borgo di Fossanova.
