Abbazia di Santo Spirito al Morrone, Sulmona

The Abbey of Santo Spirito al Morrone has represented for centuries the most important and famous settlement of the Congregation of the Celestines as well as the center of cultural, religious, and civil life of a vast territory.

The monumental complex, which occupies an area of 16,600 sqm, is located only 5 km from the center of Sulmona in the locality of Badia.

Its origins are linked to the figure of Pietro di Angelerio, Benedictine monk, hermit, founder of the Celestine order and Pope under the name Celestine V. He initiated its construction, probably expanding the small church of Santa Maria dating back to the first half of the 13th century and then promoting the construction of a new church dedicated to the Holy Spirit with an annexed Monastery. Furthermore, he established the Mother House of the Order here following the General Chapter held in June 1293.

Over the centuries the Abbey underwent various phases of expansion, of which we still have beautiful evidence, up to the important interventions following the earthquake of 1706. The current design consists of a monumental 18th-century church and an imposing monastery spread over five internal courtyards, three major and two minor.

The monks inhabited this complex until the enactment of the Napoleonic law of 1806 which ordered the suppression of religious orders. Subsequently, the abbey changed various uses: first used as the Royal College of the three Abruzzos, then as a hospice for beggars, then as a military quarter with an annexed hospital, in 1868 it was transformed into a prison and remained so until 1993. On March 12, 1998, it was assigned to the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities and restoration works began. Currently, it houses detached offices of the Superintendence for Historical, Artistic, and Ethnoanthropological Heritage, the Superintendence for Architectural and Landscape Heritage, and the Majella Park Authority.

Guided tours, conferences, exhibitions, and concerts are held here, transforming the complex into a driving center of culture.