Protocenobio di Jure Vetere, Archaeological site in San Giovanni in Fiore, Italy.
Protocenobio di Jure Vetere is an archaeological site containing substantial remains of a 12th-century monastic complex with preserved foundations and architectural elements. Excavations have revealed the layout and structure of this medieval monastery, providing insight into how monks organized their living and working spaces.
Founded between 1189 and 1191 by monk Gioacchino da Fiore, the monastery served as a functioning religious community. A destructive fire in 1213 brought the site's active period to an end and left it abandoned.
The site reveals how medieval monks lived and organized their daily routines through recovered pottery, glassware, and tools found during excavation. These objects tell the story of monastic life and the practical skills that sustained the community.
Researchers continue to conduct archaeological excavations at the site, uncovering new findings about the monastery. It is best to visit when archaeological work is active, as information panels and excavation areas can provide context for understanding what remains visible.
The architectural design of this monastery influenced how many other religious communities built their facilities across southern Italy. The distinctive building methods developed here became a model that other Florensian monastic sites adopted and adapted for their own construction.
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