Santa Maria Maddelena in Armillis, Renaissance abbey in Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino, Italy.
Santa Maria Maddelena in Armillis is an abbey in Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino featuring three naves with a central dome supported by four arches and side cupolas. Eleven marble altars with painted decorations line the interior of this Renaissance structure.
The abbey was founded in 1113 through a donation from Prince Giordano II of Capua. The current structure was built between 1506 and 1542 following Renaissance design principles.
The name references Saint Mary Magdalene and the Armillis valley that has drawn pilgrims for centuries. Visitors can still see the traces of this religious importance in the decorated altars and the layout of spaces designed for worship and gathering.
The abbey is accessible to visitors on most days, with morning and early afternoon being the best times for exploration. There is limited parking nearby, so patience or use of public transport is advised.
The underground chamber holds a 13th-century fresco depicting the Miracle of Saint Egidius and a doe. This work reveals early medieval Christian art techniques that most visitors never see.
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