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Unfortunately, the lighting in the Secret Church was not good enough for
my digital camera. So, you will have to be satisfied with the images
of the mosaic tile work that covers the ceiling arches above the stairs
that descend from the church above.
Upon reaching the hidden church, built in 1544 when G. Scloccheto da Piacenza
was Abbot of Montecassino, you will see the Chapel of St. Maurus.
There is a high marble relief of St. Benedict blessing a crowd of poor
and sick people.
In another chamber there is a beautiful mosaic of the Madonna with child,
framed by a wall of golden tiles. Below the mosaic are relief sculptures
of some of the Founder Saints of the Benedictine Order.
The entire underground church gleams with gold. The ceilings and
walls are covered with golden tiles measuring 1 cm x 1 cm or less.
They are used to frame the brilliant mosaics that were done in 1913 by
the Benedictine Art School of Beuron, Germany. |
