The Abbey of San Clemente in Casauria, founded in 871 by Emperor Louis II, is a major Romanesque monument in Abruzzo, Italy. Originally dedicated to the Holy Trinity, it was later named after Pope Clement I, whose relics were kept here until they were transferred to Rome. The abbey suffered Saracen attacks in 920 and 1076 but was rebuilt and consecrated in 1105. The Romanesque façade, designed by Abbot Leonate in 1176, features intricate sculptural decorations, including historical reliefs and symbolic figures.
The interior has three naves, a raised presbytery, a crypt, an ornate pulpit, and a ciborium from the 15th century. The bronze door, adorned with 72 panels depicting the abbey’s land holdings, is one of the site’s most remarkable features. Over centuries, the abbey declined due to earthquakes, invasions, and monastic reforms. In 1894, it was declared a national monument. The 2009 L’Aquila earthquake caused significant damage, but restorations were completed by 2011. Today, the abbey houses a museum with Roman, medieval, and religious artifacts.
- Address
Contrada S. Clemente, Castiglione a Casauria, Italy - Web
https://museiabruzzo.cultura.gov.it/luoghi-della-cultura/943-abbazia-di-san-clemente-a-casauria/ - Visiting Hours
Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:30 - What to see
Relics of St Clemente, medieval bas-reliefs, museum
