Praglia Abbey

The first abbot of Praglia, Iselberto dei Tadi, who had become a monk in the monastery of San Benedetto Polirone in Mantua, is mentioned in a Papal Bull of Calixtus II in 1123.

The basilica church, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary (Santa Maria dell'Assunta), was designed in 1490 by Tullio Lombardo.

The monumental refectory is decorated with medallions carved by the Lombardo family, depicting the Baptism and Martyrdom of St Giustina, and Christ Pantocrator.

Only two Padri are left; "Custodi in the house where we were once Padroni," said one of them ... as he pointed to the ruthlessly dilapidated library, the empty book-cases, the yawning framework of the wooden ceiling, whence pictures had been torn.

The architectural interest of Praglia centres in three large cloisters, one of them lifted high in air above magazines, cellars, and storehouses.

But the whole building impresses the imagination by magnitude, solidity, severity -—-true Benedictine qualities-—rather than by beauty of form or brilliance of fancy.