Palazzo abbaziale di Loreto, Benedictine palace with historic library in Mercogliano, Italy.
Palazzo Abbaziale di Loreto is a three-story building with a central courtyard built in the 1700s for the Benedictine community. The ground floor contains a historic pharmacy with painted ceramic vessels and Flemish tapestries, while the upper floors house the monastery's extensive library.
An earthquake destroyed the earlier monastery in 1732, and the building was rebuilt in 1734 under architect Domenico Antonio Vaccaro. The reconstruction reflects the baroque style and prosperity of the Benedictine community at that time.
The palace served as the seat of the Benedictine monks and shaped religious life in the region for centuries. Visitors can see traces of this monastic tradition in the rooms and their furnishings.
Visitors have access to the ground floor where they can see the historic pharmacy and valuable tapestries. Allow enough time to explore the different rooms and their historical furnishings at a comfortable pace.
The Benedictine monks still produce liqueurs and spirits here using traditional recipes passed down through generations. This craft tradition, which stretches back centuries, continues to operate within the palace today.
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