Hermitage of Saint Anthony

Eremo di Sant'Antonio (Italian for Hermitage of Saint Anthony) is an hermitage located in Pescocostanzo, Province of L'Aquila (Abruzzo, Italy).[1]

Hermitage of Saint Anthony
Eremo di Sant'Antonio
View of the hermitage
Religion
AffiliationRoman Catholic
ProvinceProvince of L'Aquila
RegionAbruzzo
Location
MunicipalityPescocostanzo
StateItaly
Hermitage of Saint Anthony is located in Abruzzo
Hermitage of Saint Anthony
Shown within Abruzzo
Geographic coordinates41°56′48″N 14°01′52″E / 41.946686°N 14.031164°E / 41.946686; 14.031164
Architecture
Completed12th-century

History

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The Hermitage of Sant'Antonio was built within the "Bosco di Sant'Antonio" towards the end of the 14th century, with construction completed in the early 15th century, as indicated by some external and internal decorative elements of the building. The hermitage was first documented in a papal bull from 1536.[2] Like the surrounding forest, it was initially consecrated to Jupiter during the pagan era[3] and, following the conversion to Catholicism during the Middle Ages, was later dedicated first to Saint Anthony the Abbot[2] and then to Saint Anthony of Padua.[4] In 1577, it underwent its first restoration, carried out by the peasants of the nearby town of Pescocostanzo, as evidenced by the inscription on the architrave of the building's main facade.[2]

Architecture

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Externally, the hermitage comprises a church and some residential buildings arranged on two levels.[2] The main facade features a portal with an adjoining architrave, above which a plaque commemorates the 1577 restoration[2] and a series of four 13th-14th century windows in grey stone.[3] The entire complex is covered by a continuous gable roof from which a bell gable emerges.[2] Inside, there is an altar with a late-14th century wooden statue of Saint Anthony the Abbot and a painting of Saint Anthony of Padua; the entire space also leads to a small sacristy.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Eremo di Sant'Antonio" (in Italian). Regione Abruzzo. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g * "Eremo di Sant'Antonio".
  3. ^ a b * "Chiesa ed eremo di Sant'Antonio". Archived from the original on 29 March 2023..
  4. ^ "Bosco di S. Antonio" (in Italian). Majella National Park. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2016.