Abbey of Santa Maria del Pero
A thousand-year-old Benedictine monastery in the heart of Veneto, this architectural treasure combines medieval cloisters, Renaissance expansions, and centuries of documented history into one of the region’s oldest standing structures.
At a glance
The Abbey of Santa Maria del Pero stands as the oldest building in Monastier. Built around 958 AD during the Holy Roman Empire, the Benedictine monastery occupies a landscape of ancient courtyards, historical ruins, and a fifteenth-century walled garden that invites contemplation of its layered past.
History
Founded in 958 AD, the monastery flourished under Benedictine stewardship for centuries. In 1493, the Abbot of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice assumed leadership, initiating significant expansion: the church was enlarged and the cloister was raised with the addition of a first floor featuring mullioned windows.
Growth continued into the early 1700s before suppression and acquisition as state property by Napoleon. The abbey was subsequently sold to Venetian nobles. During the First World War, it served as a Rescue Center and Soldier’s House; Austro-Hungarian forces damaged the church during their final push toward Venice.
The site gained literary and cultural attention when Ernest Hemingway was treated and baptized in the nearby schools of Fornaci, and when French Academician Julien Green documented his experiences there. In the 1960s, the abbey became the filming location for “The Monster of Venice,” an early horror film by director Dino Tavella.
What you see
The monastery presents layers of medieval and Renaissance construction. The ancient cloister features a historic well and is paved with traditional stone patterns. Mullioned windows from the fifteenth-century expansion remain visible throughout the upper level.
The entire complex sits within a fifteenth-century walled garden—an entirely enclosed space that frames the Abbey’s relationship to its landscape. An ancient orchard and cultivated grounds complete the property, creating distinct settings for different areas of the compound.
Cultural significance
The Abbey exemplifies the monastic heritage of northeastern Italy and documents the region’s religious and architectural evolution from the early medieval period through the modern era. Its survival through Napoleonic secularization, world warfare, and twentieth-century transformation reflects broader patterns of European cultural continuity.
Its connection to Hemingway, Green, and early cinema adds to its cultural footprint, marking it as a place where literature and artistic practice intersected with architectural history during the twentieth century.
Key facts
- Address: Via Monastero, 5, 31050 Monastier di Treviso
- Coordinates: 45.658012678780096, 12.419722080230713
- Founded: circa 958 AD
- Phone: 349 446 6436
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbaziadelpero
Practical information
The Abbey accommodates events, weddings, cultural gatherings, banquets, and private parties within its historic spaces. The walled garden, ancient orchard, and cloister provide distinct settings for receptions and celebrations. Specific opening hours and admission fees are not listed; contact the Abbey directly for details.
Getting there
The Abbey is located in Monastier di Treviso, in the Veneto region northeast of Venice. You can reach it via Via Monastero, 5. For precise directions and current access information, contact the Abbey by phone at 349 446 6436 or through their Facebook page.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
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