Must See Rome – Grottaferratta, Italy
Grottaferrata is one of those places that will make the rest of your trip to Italy almost unnecessary! It’s worth considering a rental car for this region as you will be able to get to so many of the small hill towns around Grottaferrata (only 15 minutes drive from Ciampino airport). It’s out of the hustle and bustle of Rome and is a great little town to experience the history and culture of Italy without all the crowds and chaos. Grottaferratta is known for 1 really important thing – The Abbey.
The Grottaferratta Monastery & Abbey
This walled abbey and monastery are one of the few places (possibly the only place in Western Europe) that has a library dedicated to the writings and works of the Byzantine Era (think East-West Schism of the Church). This small abbey and working monastery have the privilege and responsibility of caring for the ancient texts in both Greek and Latin of the Catholic Church. In 2000, the monastery unveiled its finished work of restoring works of Da Vinci rescued from the 1960’s flood in Florence, Italy. They also were also part of the rescue effort for many of Galileo’s original works.
The monks here are masters of a dying art – restoration of ancient and medieval writings including illuminated texts of the Bible, prayer books, and writings of some of the greatest scholars of the ancient and medieval world.
Love Ancient & Medieval History = Must See Rome – Grottaferratta
The Monastery’s Private Library
If you are able to request a tour of the monastery’s private library you may just get the chance to handle books from 500 AD written in Latin. You’ll also get to see where WW2 bombs hit the monastery – the shrapnel fragments are still in the books!
A few wanderlust goodies for you! Must See Rome – Grottaferratta
The Monastery’s Private Library
The Public Library’s Conference Room
The Abbey and Chapel
Learn on Location – Grottaferratta
Grottaferratta, with its quaint piazzas and local shops, is such an inviting town not far from Rome. You must see Rome – Grottaferratta! It is relaxing, affordable and so enjoyable on a hot day. It’s the perfect place for your family to learn on location. It’s also one of the few, affordable locations to see up close and hands-on. (I mean like viewing and handling books from 500 AD). My kids were captivated! Yours will be too!
Are you headed north of Rome? Don’t miss Viterbo. If you are looking for kid-friendly Italy, put Viterbo on your itinerary.
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