Fonte Avellana

Fonte Avellana was established by a group of hermits living at that site around 980. The tradition of the monastery holds that it was founded by Ludolfi Pamfili, a former soldier, later hermit.<ref name="cup">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IRU9AAAAIAAJ&dq=liber+gomorrhianus&pg=PA103|title=Hildebradine Essays|year=1932|publisher=CUP Archive|language=en}}</ref> It was closely connected to the reforms of [[St. Romuald]], and its early customs and documents share much in common with the nearby hermitage of [[Camaldoli]] established by Romuald.<ref name=Toke/> In 1035 [[Peter Damian]] entered the community, where he became a Benedictine monk and then prior of the hermitage in 1043.<ref>[http://www.le-marche.com/Marche/html/avellana.htm Fonte Avellana Monastery] - Marche Places</ref> He enlarged the library, constructed a nearby cloister, and established a monastic house near San Severino.<ref name="Resnick">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IrmaodlCKv4C&dq=Fonte+Avellana&pg=PA11|title=Divine Power and Possibility in St. Peter Damian's De Divina Omnipotentia|last=Resnick|first=Irven Michael|date=1992|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-9004095724|language=en}}</ref> Albertino of Montone later also became prior there.

Fonte Avellana was established by a group of hermits living at that site around 980. The tradition of the monastery holds that it was founded by Ludolfi Pamfili, a former soldier, later hermit.<ref name="cup">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IRU9AAAAIAAJ&dq=liber+gomorrhianus&pg=PA103|title=Hildebradine Essays|year=1932|publisher=CUP Archive|language=en}}</ref> It was closely connected to the reforms of [[St. Romuald]], and its early customs and documents share much in common with the nearby hermitage of [[Camaldoli]] established by Romuald.<ref name=Toke/> In 1035 [[Peter Damian]] entered the community, where he became a Benedictine monk and then prior of the hermitage in 1043.<ref>[http://www.le-marche.com/Marche/html/avellana.htm Fonte Avellana Monastery] - Marche Places</ref> He enlarged the library, constructed a nearby cloister, and established a monastic house near San Severino.<ref name="Resnick">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IrmaodlCKv4C&dq=Fonte+Avellana&pg=PA11|title=Divine Power and Possibility in St. Peter Damian's De Divina Omnipotentia|last=Resnick|first=Irven Michael|date=1992|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-9004095724|language=en}}</ref> Albertino of Montone later also became prior there.

It was raised to the status of an [[abbey]] in 1325, and remains the only Camaldolese house to have such a designation (all other such houses being designated simply as hermitages or [[monastery|monasteries]]). It soon came under [[laity|lay]] control, however, and the fortunes of the community quickly deteriorated. The community, in fact, eventually became part of the [[Camaldolese]] [[Religious congregation|congregation]].<ref name=Toke/> Nevertheless, it continued in existence, until it was scattered by [[Napoleonic]] forces. In the second half of the 19th century its ancient book collection was sold, following the requisition of all ecclesiastical properties by the Italian Government due to friction with the Church. Yet after the upheavals of that period, the monastic community was again established and continues today as a major house of the congregation.

It was raised to the status of an [[abbey]] in 1325, and remains the only Camaldolese house to have such a designation (all other such houses being designated simply as hermitages or [[monastery|monasteries]]). It soon came under [[laity|lay]] control, however, and the fortunes of the community quickly deteriorated. The community, in fact, eventually became part of the [[Camaldolese]] [[Religious congregation|congregation]].<ref name=Toke/> Nevertheless, it continued in existence, until it was scattered by [[Napoleonic]] forces. In the second half of the 19th century, its ancient book collection was sold, following the requisition of all ecclesiastical properties by the Italian Government due to friction with the Church. Yet after the upheavals of that period, the monastic community was again established and continues today as a major house of the congregation.

One notable feature of its architecture is that the cells of the hermits were built as [[suite (hotel)|suite]]s. This way a hermit and his disciple could share the cell, yet each had their own sleeping space within it. This reflects the ancient custom of a hermit taking a young [[monk]] as a disciple, whom he would train in the [[ascetic]] life and often who would care for the older hermit as he aged.

One notable feature of its architecture is that the cells of the hermits were built as [[suite (hotel)|suite]]s. This way a hermit and his disciple could share the cell, yet each had their own sleeping space within it. This reflects the ancient custom of a hermit taking a young [[monk]] as a disciple, whom he would train in the [[ascetic]] life and often who would care for the older hermit as he aged.