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The main entrance of the Monastery of Santa Chiara is in the square dedicated to the Saint. In In the Monastery are living the Poor Clares, who, have offered spiritual support – also thanks to the Church of Santa Chiara – to the population of the town for centuries.
The birth of the Monastery is due to the Accursi family whose descendants were originally from Montecastrilli and later, moved to the city of Todi, where they were part of the local nobility. Cinthio Accursi, had two brothers: Aquilio a tax doctor in Perugia and Mercuzio a notary of the Camera Apostolica. Cinthio held the profession of “Canon and Roman Citizen.”
In a will dated Feb. 1, 1649, Cinthio, in the presence of two Franciscans Mario Vici and Francesco Angelo Furia, wrote his will drawn by Notary Clemente Leoni where he stipulated that at his death, with his money and property a Monastery of nuns of St. Francis be built in the castle of Montecastrilli. Cavalier Cinthio Accursi ten days after drawing up his will died, it was February 11, 1649.
The city of Todi opposed to the construction of the monastery, but after a period of controversy, the building was built anyway. The foundation stone was blessed by Bishop Altieri on May 1, 1651. The dispute was settled by Pope Alexander VII who declared that the wishes of Cinthio Accursi be respected.
In November 6, 1663, when the Convent was built. The Episcopal Chancellor, Francesco Narducci, was commissioned to have monastic life begin in the new Convent. Coming from the Monastery of Monte Cristo in Todi, the first two nuns were sent there, Sister Eufrasia Fucci and Sister Maria Arcangela Torres the first Abbess, from the nascent Monastery of Montecastrilli. In the following years numerous maidens were accepted, eager to consecrate their cloistered life to the Lord.
The main entrance of the Monastery of Santa Chiara is in the square dedicated to the Saint. In In the Monastery are living the Poor Clares, who, have offered spiritual support – also thanks to the Church of Santa Chiara – to the population of the town for centuries.
The birth of the Monastery is due to the Accursi family whose descendants were originally from Montecastrilli and later, moved to the city of Todi, where they were part of the local nobility. Cinthio Accursi, had two brothers: Aquilio a tax doctor in Perugia and Mercuzio a notary of the Camera Apostolica. Cinthio held the profession of “Canon and Roman Citizen.”
In a will dated Feb. 1, 1649, Cinthio, in the presence of two Franciscans Mario Vici and Francesco Angelo Furia, wrote his will drawn by Notary Clemente Leoni where he stipulated that at his death, with his money and property a Monastery of nuns of St. Francis be built in the castle of Montecastrilli. Cavalier Cinthio Accursi ten days after drawing up his will died, it was February 11, 1649.
The city of Todi opposed to the construction of the monastery, but after a period of controversy, the building was built anyway. The foundation stone was blessed by Bishop Altieri on May 1, 1651. The dispute was settled by Pope Alexander VII who declared that the wishes of Cinthio Accursi be respected.
In November 6, 1663, when the Convent was built. The Episcopal Chancellor, Francesco Narducci, was commissioned to have monastic life begin in the new Convent. Coming from the Monastery of Monte Cristo in Todi, the first two nuns were sent there, Sister Eufrasia Fucci and Sister Maria Arcangela Torres the first Abbess, from the nascent Monastery of Montecastrilli. In the following years numerous maidens were accepted, eager to consecrate their cloistered life to the Lord.
The first professions were made on November 9, 1664. On August 12, 1729, the monastery church was consecrated by the Bishop of Todi, Bishop Ludovico Anselmo Gualterio.
During these years, under the leadership of Abbess Chiara Totti, the Monastery had a period of particular splendor; over the centuries, it also suffered three closures, two during the Napoleonic and one after the Unification of Italy, but it always returned to flourishing life.
Over the centuries, the Monastery has always been a point of reference for the citizens of Montecastrilli, not only for a spiritual need, but also for the concrete sustenance they received. The nuns used to employ many householders to work the land owned by the Monastery, and in addition, the nuns used to prepare medicines, with medicinal herbs and store them in jars, in “their Pharmacy” and then distribute them to families in need.
This bond has always been consolidated with the community of Montecastrilli, in fact in the darkest periods, such as pandemics and wars the population used to find shelter and sustenance inside the Monastery.
The first professions were made on November 9, 1664. On August 12, 1729, the monastery church was consecrated by the Bishop of Todi, Bishop Ludovico Anselmo Gualterio.
During these years, under the leadership of Abbess Chiara Totti, the Monastery had a period of particular splendor; over the centuries, it also suffered three closures, two during the Napoleonic and one after the Unification of Italy, but it always returned to flourishing life.
Over the centuries, the Monastery has always been a point of reference for the citizens of Montecastrilli, not only for a spiritual need, but also for the concrete sustenance they received. The nuns used to employ many householders to work the land owned by the Monastery, and in addition, the nuns used to prepare medicines, with medicinal herbs and store them in jars, in “their Pharmacy” and then distribute them to families in need.
This bond has always been consolidated with the community of Montecastrilli, in fact in the darkest periods, such as pandemics and wars the population used to find shelter and sustenance inside the Monastery.
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Welcome in Southern Umbria,
where the slowness becomes value
Information, appointments and travel proposals on:
The Progressive Web App is part of the project “Le Terre dei Borghi Verdi”, realized in collaboration and with the contribution of Regione Umbria – Assessorato al Turismo
©2021 Le Terre dei Borghi Verdi