Franciscaanse Jeruzalems in Italië. Drie sacri monti nader bekeken (ca. 1480-1520)

Early Italian sacri monti, particularly those linked to Observant Franciscans around 1500 CE, exhibited distinct characteristics that set them apart from later Counter Reformation-era sanctuaries. Unlike their northern counterparts—often dedicated to the Virgin Mary or the Rosary—the earliest sacri monti replicated Jerusalem and were founded by Observant Franciscans. This study focuses on three such sites: Varallo (the oldest and most well-known), La Verna, and San Vivaldo in Tuscany, to determine what specifically defined their Observant Franciscan identity. By analyzing these sanctuaries, the research reveals a unique blend of spiritual devotion and architectural innovation that predates the broader Counter Reformation movement.

Ritsema van Eck, M. P. (2020). Franciscaanse Jeruzalems in Italië. Drie sacri monti nader bekeken (ca. 1480-1520). https://doi.org/10.34055/osf.io/uvaz3