Convento di Sant'Angelo, Medieval convent in Ocre, Italy
The Convento di Sant'Angelo is a 15th-century religious building and national monument on a rocky spur of Monte Circolo above Ocre, in the province of L'Aquila. Its square cloister has two arcaded levels: the lower one rests on 16 octagonal pillars, and the upper one is porticoed on only two sides. The church, rebuilt in the 18th century, has a facade dated 1761 with a triangular pediment and a niche statue of Saint Michael the Archangel.
The convent was founded in 1409 for Benedictine nuns and transferred to the Franciscan order by Pope Sixtus IV in 1480. It remained active for centuries until the 2009 earthquake forced its closure.
The cloister displays 23 painted lunettes from the 17th century showing scenes from the life of Saint Anthony of Padua. These works reveal the religious devotion and artistic traditions that developed within these walls.
The convent currently remains closed due to damage from the 2009 earthquake and requires extensive restoration work. Before planning a visit, check the current status and access conditions with local authorities or tourism information.
The walnut-wood apse vault of the small choir carries a painting of King David playing the harp, flanked by two 18th-century canvases: the Nativity on the right and the Adoration of the Magi on the left. In the sacristy, a stone cinerary urn holds the bones of Blessed Bernardino da Fossa, placed there on 30 April 1516.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,006 contributors worldwide.