Abbazia di Santa Maria a Cerrate, Medieval monastery and museum in Lecce, Italy.
The Abbazia di Santa Maria a Cerrate is a medieval monastery near Lecce featuring Romanesque design with three naves separated by decorated columns. Inside, three apses hold medieval frescoes that show the artistic choices of its builders.
The monastery was founded around 1200 by a Norman prince and served as a spiritual center for the region. In 1711 it suffered damage from pirate attacks, which changed its role in the community.
This monastery was a place where monks copied books and farmed the land at the same time. The rooms still show how knowledge and daily work were connected here.
The complex is fully accessible for visitors with wheelchairs and mobility needs. Wear comfortable shoes since you will walk on older stone surfaces throughout the grounds.
The church columns show unusual carvings that mix pig faces with lion paws in strange ways. A fresco on the right side that looks Byzantine adds to the mysterious art found in this building.
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