Il rinnovamento dei monasteri benedettini a Roma tra la fine del XII e l’inizio del XIII secolo: un’indagine preliminare

A significant shift in monastic architecture occurred in Rome between the late 12th and early 13th centuries, marking the transition from limited Benedictine initiatives to a broader renewal phase under Pope Innocent III. This period saw the adoption of the cloister-based layout, a rare feature in central Italy at the time, with San Lorenzo fuori le Mura (1189) serving as its pioneering example. The study highlights how this architectural evolution reached its peak at San Paolo fuori le Mura, characterized by Roman antique influences such as marble cladding and sculptural decorations, alongside symbolic inscriptions. Despite challenges posed by later renovations, the research identifies a distinct 'Roman' monastic structure type, emphasizing its cultural and political ties to papal Rome. The findings are drawn from an analysis of surviving documentation and architectural remnants, offering new insights into the understudied residential areas of Benedictine monasteries.

Cerone, R. (2018). Il rinnovamento dei monasteri benedettini a Roma tra la fine del XII e l’inizio del XIII secolo: un’indagine preliminare. Reti Medievali Rivista, 19(1), 351–370. https://doi.org/10.6092/1593-2214/5633