Mater Ecclesiae Abbey, Benedictine abbey on San Giulio Island, Lake Orta, Italy.
The monastery occupies a former diocesan seminary building in the center of San Giulio Island, surrounded by Lake Orta's waters.
Founded in 1973 by six nuns from Viboldone Abbey under Anna Maria Canopi's leadership, the community relocated to its current location in 1989.
The monastery maintains a textile restoration workshop connected to Florence's Opificio delle Pietre Dure, specializing in ancient fabric conservation and liturgical garment creation.
Visitors can explore the island's exterior spaces while respecting the cloistered areas where approximately seventy Benedictine nuns reside in contemplative silence.
The nuns continue the traditions of William of Volpiano, born on San Giulio Island in 962, through their daily activities of prayer and manuscript research.
Location: Orta San Giulio
Inception: 1973
GPS coordinates: 45.79627,8.39993
Latest update: May 12, 2025 18:46
Lake Orta
1.5 km
Villa Crespi
1.3 km
Holy Mountain of Orta
832 m
Basilica di San Giulio
95 m
Broletto
506 m
Santa Maria Assunta
642 m
Casa Capuani
569 m
Palazzo Penotti Ubertini
596 m
San Filiberto
1.4 km
Palazzo Gemelli
601 m
Sant'Albino Church
1.3 km
Spiaggia Prarolo
1.4 km
Santissima Trinità
526 m
Torre
1.1 km
San Nicolao
803 m
Villa Bossi
547 m
San Bernardino
608 m
Monumento ai Caduti
1.6 km
Town hall of Pella
1.3 km
San Rocco
1.5 km
Villa Natta d'Alfiano
649 m
Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista
1.6 km
San Quirico
753 m
Monumento ai caduti
1 km
San Rocco
585 m
Oratorio di San Rocco
1.4 km
San Giuseppe Oratory
1.7 km
Lavatoio
1.3 kmReviews
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