Similarly, in the interior the slim ionic columns, certainly once part of ancient roman buildings, lend a lighter touch to rather severe mysticism of the whole. The chapel dedicated to the Virgin and decorated with mosaics is probably XII century, whilist the splendid ciborium at the main altar dates back to the VIII century.
Ciborium
It’s decorated in white stucco work and supported by small marble columns which are certainly of ancient roman provenance. What are of great interest are what is left of the frescos, which date back to the XIV century and probably covered the whole of the inside of the church, depicting historic events connected to the Cistercian monks, and the ornaments in polychrome mosaics which are probably the work of the famous XII century roman marble creftsmen known as the “Cosmati”.
The steeple, which towers over the surrounding vegetation, is also romanesque in style. The medieval convent nearby is instead in dreadfull conditions.
The abbey was recognised as a national monument in 1895 and it’s visible thanks to the service provided by the Fraternità Ecumenica Laica.
