The Benedictine abbey in Praglia lies at the foot of the Euganean Hills, 12 Km from Padua, along the ancient road leading to Este: Its name derives from Pratalea (a place covered by meadows), the name generally given in Medieval documents. Here are some of the most important dates in the nearly 1000-year history of Praglia:
11th – 12th century: foundation of the monastery by the powerful family of Maltraverso di Montebello.
1117: The community is already established and led by its own abbot.
1124: Pope Calixtus II entrusts the Praglia community to the famous abbey of Polirone, near Mantua. Praglia’s monastic life is thus influenced by the Cluny abbey in Bourgogne.
1232: Emperor Frederick II delegates to the abbot of Praglia the counties of Brusegana, Tencarola, Villa del Bosco, and Tramonte. Management of the vast land possessions is entrusted to the monks and tenant farmers of the three ‘courts’: Brusegana, Praglia and Spirano.
1448: The community begins its revival under the monastic reform led by the abbey of St. Giustina in Padua, after a long period of crisis that began in the second half of the 14th century.
1460: Construction begins of the current majestic abbey complex (1460-1550) on the site of the ancient monastery. The architectural style elegantly integrates the late gothic and early renaissance styles.
VISITS TO THE MONASTERY
Sunday and holidays
Regular hours: 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:30 p.m.
Daylight saving: 3:30, 4:00, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30 p.m.
Weekdays
Regular hours: 2:30, 3:10, 3:50, 4:30 p.m.
Daylight saving: 3:30, 4:10, 4:50, 5:30 p.m.
Closed: Monday, New Year’s day, Epiphany, Easter Triduum, Easter Sunday, Pentecost, Assumption, All Saints Day, Immaculate Conception, Christmas and Christmas Eve.