San Martino al Cimino Abbey
Description
The Cistercian Abbey of San Martino al Cimino is a Catholic church near Viterbo. Built in the 13th century by monks from the mother abbey of Pontigny, it was closed in 1564. The abbey title was restored in the 17th century, though no monks returned. Today it serves as a parish church of the Diocese of Viterbo and remained a territorial abbey until 1936.
History
A church dedicated to St. Martin on this site is first mentioned in 838, when it was donated to Farfa Abbey. Several abbots are recorded in the 11th century.
In the early 1200s Pope Innocent III granted the Cimini lands to the Cistercians of Pontigny, who quickly built the abbey. The church was consecrated in 1225, and the full monastic complex was completed by the late 13th century. However, the community declined rapidly; by 1426 only two monks remained. Despite minor restoration attempts under Pope Pius II, the abbey was abandoned in 1564 and its property passed to the Holy See.
Description
The ruined church was revived in 1645 under Pope Innocent X, whose sister-in-law Olimpia Maidalchini gained control of the estate. She fully restored the church—adding two tower buttresses—and built a grand palace on the former monastic grounds. She also reorganized the village, commissioning new walls, gates, and public buildings. Only parts of the original Cistercian abbey survive today, including the apse, transept, and small remnants of the cloister and chapter house. Olimpia died of plague in 1657 and was buried in the church choir.
Address
Piazza Nazionale 14, San Martino Al Cimino, Italy
Established
13th century