SAN GIOVANNI IN VENERE

Abbey of San Giovanni in

Venere

DESCRIPTION

Located on the place where there was a temple to Venus conciliatory, the church and monastery of San Giovanni in Venere dates back to the eighth century. The current buildings derive from the works of reconstruction that took place in the eleventh and in particular in the twelfth century (1165) under the guidance of Oderisio II.

From the square in front of the apse you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the Gulf of Venus and of the southward Abruzzo coast

The rear front is dominated by the three cylinders of the apses, divided horizontally in two by a framed lozenge.

The lower part of the wall roughcast is marked by large blind arches.

In the spaces between the band and diamond arches are medallions with geometric designs made with inlays of stone and marble.

The cylinders of the apses are crowned by a complex frame.

A band of tuff arches with the concavities filled with rosettes, crosses and palmettes crown the slopes of the central nave.

Some narrow slits are distributed over the three apses

The right side shows the smooth wall of the nave.

The right side features a simple marble portal that lies on the ocher walls of the nave.

In the lunette statues of an angel and the Virgin and Child.

The front double salient structure, whose upper part has been redone, is dominated by a large portal that stands out for its white marble reliefs.

The portal

The bezel houses the statues of Christ Enthroned between the Virgin and St. John.

Some ruins that include various Saints.

Beautiful leafed capitals decorate the piers and the lateral columns of the portal.

The sides of the piers; in the lunette are placed rich sculptures dating back to 1230.

The main scenes are related to events in the life of the Baptist.

More plastic effects can be found in some reliefs .

On the left of the frame portal there is a niche.

On the left side of the church a doorway leads to the cloister.

The bezel has a relief with a complex geometrical pattern.

The cloister, consisting of open galleries with triple lancet windows and columns with capital crutches, was largely rebuilt at the beginning of 900.

The interior has a nave and two aisles with large quadrangular- based pillars.

The nave opens through a triumphal arch on the large presbytery which raises over the crypt.

The crypt lies in the area below the sanctuary and consists of columns covered by vaults.

Cristo in maestà

DescriptionThe murals of the Abbey Church of San Giovanni in Venere are concentrated in the apses of the crypt. In the Central apse we have two paintings: in the front is the Christ in Majesty flanked by Saints Benedict and John the Baptist.

Virgin and Child enthroned between S. Michael and S. Nicholas of Bari

On the right wall there is a panel with the Virgin and Child enthroned between the Archangel Michael and St Nicholas of Bari. The painting takes place on the front wall on the sides of the window. At the top, above the double lancet window, lies the Christ supported by two angels. Sitting on the Arch of heaven, with his right hand He blesses the world and with the left one He claims the Gospel open on some verses by St. John.

Vergine col Bambino in trono tra S. Michele Arcangelo e S. Nicola di Bari

Description

Virgin and Child enthroned. On the right wall of the Central apse is a single panel depicting the Madonna with child, flanked by the Archangel Michael and St Nicholas of Bari. The Virgin sits on a throne and is bended towards Her Child. St. Nicholas, dressed as a Bishop, is wearing a white tunic and a turban and with his left hand is holding the pastoral. The Archangel Gabriel is located on the left side of the Virgin showing decorative motifs that are already present in the Holy Bishop, wearing a rich robe like a great dignitary At his feet is the figure of the donor, here depicted on his knees.