Archive for the ‘Monasteries’

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    Montecassino Abbey, Italy
    If you happen to be making the trip from Rome to Naples in Italy, you might consider taking a trip to the spectacular Abbey of Montecassino. The Abbazia di Montecassino, as the abbey is referred to, is perched atop a mountain in the south of Rome. The monastery is at present functional, and is a pilgrimage site that welcomes visitors. Montecassino was ravaged completely in a bombing in the World War II, but has since been reconstructed. The site was famous for being the scene of a bloody battle here close to the end of the World War II. Montecassino Abbey – History . . . The Montecassino Abbey was established originally by St Benedict in 529 and is among the most ancient monasteries in Europe. The abbey was constructed on the ruins of fortifications built by Romans near the Temple of Apollo. The monastery was famous in the ancient  [...]
    Posted at July 6th, 2011 in Monasteries
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    Fountains Abbey: Its Grandeur
    Fountains Abbey is located in North Yorkshire. Cistercian monks founded the abbey in 1132. Fountains abbey is the biggest monastic ruin in all of Great Britain. It was included as a World Heritage Site in 1987. The abbey is set amongst nature, making it ideal to spend a relaxing time. Fountains Abbey was created in 1132 when a dispute arose in the Benedictine abbey of St Mary’s. This abbey was situated in York. 13 monks, who had reform on their mind, were banished and then taken into Thurstan’s protection. Thurstan was the Archbishop of York. The archbishop gave these rebellious monks a place in the valley near Skell River. This was in North Yorkshire. The site was reportedly more fit for beasts rather than human beings. Three years down the line, these monks became part of the Cistercian order. This went down well with their  [...]
    Posted at December 13th, 2010 in Monasteries
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    Meteora Greece: A Conglomerate of Monasteries
    Meteora is a Greek word that means “hanging from air”. Meteora Greece is a group of rocks that gradually withered and a number of peaks were formed over time. A number of monasteries were formed by the monks living on these peaks. The monasteries are situated near Pinios River which originates from Mountainous range called Pindus.The peaks have taken a number of varied shapes. These structures appear like stalagmites, soaring high into the sky. These holy places were built so that monks could have a worshipping place resting in solitude and peace. These also protected them from the attacks from Ottoman Empire as these pinnacles are almost inaccessible. The foundation of the monasteries of Meteora Greece dates back to as early as 9th century. Earlier a number of monks and disciples used to gather in caves. But later on, as their  [...]
    Posted at December 11th, 2010 in Monasteries
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    Monasterboice Monastery, Ireland
    The Monasterboice monastery is a site  which is interestingly monastic and is located in the Louth county. This site has lovely ruins and a large cemetery.  There are also two churches and what seems to be the tallest rounded towers in all of Ireland. There are also two high crosses here. The site of Monasterboice monastery seems to have been founded by saint Buithe.  This saint was a vivid follower of saint Patrick.  This site happens to have a sacred significance which goes even before Christianity.  The Boyne river also got its name from this site. According to the many legends , it so happened that the saint directly ascended into head without dying with  ladder that was sent down to him and that ladder took him up into heaven. This was a settlement that was in fact captured by Vikings who wanted to invade this pace in  [...]
    Posted at November 17th, 2010 in Monasteries
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    Convento de Cristo Tomar
    Convento de Cristo Tomar was built by no other than the knights Templar in the year one thousand and sixty.  This was made on a volatile Muslim Christian border which is called the Convento Da Ordem DE Cristo. This is also called the Convent of the Order Of Christ.  This happens to be quite a fantastic fortress. The construction has continued for almost five centuries. In fact this place was chosen as the headquarter of the Portuguese Templar’s. The castle was built as  apart of the Defense system to secure the Christian kingdoms against the hostile moors of Liberia.  In the year one thousand and ninety,  in the famous Tomar castle, these have resisted many attacks of the Caliph Abu Yusuf AL mansur, this person had defeated and taken over  the many Portuguese strongholds in the South.  There is a round church  at the Tomar  [...]
    Posted at November 1st, 2010 in Monasteries
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    The Anne Frank house and the Beguine Church
    The Anne Frank house which is located in Amsterdam should be visited ideally during the summer.  About eight people from three different families lived here in total silence for more than two years. This place has great regard in history, the hiding place was found by Otto Frank and he kept them safe here till almost the end of the cold war. The Nazis however, discovered them just almost before the war could get over and deported these people as prisoners to concentration camps. Anne frank was once of the prisoners who died here in the concentration camp. This was the house in which Anne Frank kept her diary so that she could deal with the boredom that she faced while she was confined to the walls of the house. She used to have dreams that this diary would be published some day.  She had described about the raging Nazi terror that  [...]
    Posted at September 1st, 2010 in Monasteries