San Giovanni in Venere

Imagine a place where history whispers through ancient stones and the surrounding landscape takes your breath away. A place where Byzantine art blends seamlessly with Norman architecture, creating a timeless masterpiece.

This is the Abbazia di San Giovanni in Venere in Fossacesia (CH), a gem of Romanesque-Cistercian architecture perched on a promontory, offering spectacular views of the Adriatic Sea and overlooking the stunning Costa dei Trabocchi.

The abbey has very ancient origins, dating back to the 13th century when it was built on the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Venus. Yet the site’s history goes even further back, with evidence of a Samnite necropolis from the 5th–4th centuries BC.

Step through its doors, and you will feel transported back in time. The façade, with its richly decorated portal and radiant rose window – especially magical at the summer solstice, when the setting sun illuminates the presbytery and crypt – welcomes you like a warm embrace. Inside, the three-aisled basilica surrounds visitors with a sense of solemn calm.

Every corner of the abbey holds a treasure. Be captivated by the Byzantine frescoes in the crypt, depicting biblical scenes with astonishing skill, and admire the intricately carved pulpit, a Romanesque masterpiece narrating stories of saints and virtues.

But the abbey is not just art and history – it is also a place of peace and unspoiled natural beauty. From the panoramic viewpoint, the Adriatic Sea stretches out like an endless blue carpet, dotted with the trabocchi – ancient wooden fishing machines – standing sentinel along the coastline.

The Abbazia di  San Giovanni in Venere speaks to the heart, leaving visitors with a deep sense of serenity and wonder. It is an experience to treasure, a journey through time and beauty that will stay with you long after you leave.

Ph credit: Alessandro Tortora, cc-by-nc-nd 2.0; preview image Simone Spoltore (Tourist photographic archive of the Abruzzo Region)