FANO – The first application presented to the Municipality of Fano by the monastic community of Trappist friars of Frattocchie, a hamlet in the municipality of Marino, 20 kilometers from Rome, dates back to 2014, for the foundation of a monastery in Prelato, near Monte Giove.
Arrived immediately in favor
Although the junta at the time had immediately shown itself in favor of the initiative, approving only a month after the request an act of direction relating to the urban redefinition of the area affected by the new complex, the practice arrived unfinished until the day before yesterday, when the The current executive with its own resolution has decided to put its hands back on it by approving a second act which should reactivate the administrative procedure with the definition of a variant.
The search for stillness
It is not that the request of the friars, intent on escaping from the hectic life in which their seat in the province of Rome is currently found in order to live in an isolated and peaceful context like that of the Prelate, had found a completely cleared way. The idea of permitting the construction of an entire building complex in the virgin area of the hill in front of the city, where up to now not even a shed has been authorized, has made some frown; but since the identified area was historically dedicated to religious settlements (the hermitage of Monte Giove and the Villa del Prelato are both nearby) the junta decided to express a general favorable opinion regarding what was requested.
Among other things, the deed also makes use of the favorable opinion expressed by the Superintendency in 2016. In the area that will be subject to variation for an area of just under 30,000 square meters, the construction of both the monastery and a new church, plus an existing farmhouse will be used as a guest house.
Integration with the environment
In reality, the project seems to fit perfectly into the existing landscape context, considering that the activities carried out by this community sensitively contemplate the cultivation of the owned land and therefore guarantee the permanence of the historical and current use of the area and with it its characteristics peculiar. The Order of Cistercian Monks to which the Trappists belong, develops and arises from the Benedictine Order. As a consequence of this, both from a mystical point of view and as regards the urban constructions of the monasteries, one has the Benedictine Order as a point of reference. An order that aims at a supernatural perfection that can prove an unequivocal presence of spirituality even in architecture.
Three macro interventions
On the basis of what is proposed in the project, three macro interventions are envisaged: the construction of the volume of the monastic complex; the reuse of the existing volume of the farmhouse and its accessories to be used as a monastic guesthouse; a parking area for reception. The property intended for residence will have a garage and storage for agricultural vehicles; in addition, a cemetery area is also planned. Everything has been sized to accommodate an abbot with his fifteen monks and a number of novices and lay brothers who will take care of contacts with the territory.