The Benedictine monks, already in 1200, when they founded the Staffarda Abbey, saw the complex not as a closed entity, but as a point of reference for the area at the foot of Monviso. Today, in Staffarda, the monks are no longer there, but the historical monumental complex returns to “network” with the territory.
On Saturday, at 12, in the sacristy of the abbey, the agreement will be signed between the Ordine Mauriziano Foundation (which manages the property), the municipalities of Cavour and Revello and the Polytechnic of Turin, for the knowledge, promotion and valorisation of the territory, starting from the networking of the abbeys of Santa Maria di Cavour, Santa Maria di Staffarda and the Marchionale chapel of Revello.
«We have been working on this protocol for a year and a half – explains Luigi Valdemarin, architect and head of the technical, conservation and maintenance area of the Mauritian Order Foundation – with the aim of creating a network that enhances not only the museum sites, but also the cultural activities that revolve around them. A network that has value from the point of view of research and tourism, with dialogues with tour operators, which is a stimulus for the growth of each individual site. Thinking of Staffarda as something isolated from the context makes no sense: it is interesting that those who visit it know that there are connections between this abbey and that of Cavour, between the church and the Collegiate Church and the Marchionale chapel of Revello”.
After complicated years, Staffarda is returning to being a leading asset with very respectable numbers. Last year visitors exceeded 21 thousand and recent investments have made it possible to start some redevelopment and safety works on the complex. The agreement that will be signed on Saturday will create a close link between the Abbey of Staffarda and the lesser-known Abbey of Santa Maria di Cavour, dating back to 1037 and now home to a museum of Roman finds from the ancient Augustan settlement of Caburrum. The same thing will happen with the Marchionale chapel of Revello, a medieval jewel set within the walls of the town hall. «With the Polytechnic – continues Valdemarin – we intend to develop and enhance research actions carried out by them in the area. Both the Marchionale chapel and the Cavour abbey have spaces already set up for exhibitions and conferences. After the latest works, we also have a conference room in Staffarda. The collaboration with the Polytechnic will go in the direction of disseminating their research and organizing exhibitions and conferences.”
On Saturday, at 3.30 pm at the archaeological museum of «Caburrum», in the former monastery of the abbey of Santa Maria a Cavour, the signatories of the convention will hold a meeting entitled «Culture, food and territory: what ideas for tourism development? », a moment of discussion to think about ideal tourist development paths that bring together the sacredness of the places, the culture of the territory, the history, nature and food and wine of a corner of Piedmont between the Pinerolese and Saluzzo areas.
From this month, the usual special openings of the monks’ dormitories in the abbey in Staffarda have finally resumed, the only opportunity to visit the upper floor of the complex. They are scheduled every second Sunday, until October.
Tags: Staffarda idea networking precious legacy monks #1200s
