Insula Piscarie paradisi floridus ortus. Un microcosmo in scrittura e immagini

As a result of a new interpretation of the 12th century epigraphic and figurative setup in the abbey of S. Clemente a Casauria (Abruzzi), this article attempts a comprehensive reconstruction of the message addressed by the Benedictine community and of the communication strategies used to make it effective. Through an almost theatrical set, the visitor is invited to attend three main acts: the first one, played on the porch facade, alludes to God’s will to create an ideal island – insula Piscarie paradisi floridus ortus – destined to harbour the monastery. The second one is related to the main door and tells the history of the monastery since AD 872, when Louis II and Hadrian II decided to found it; in such a story, the main role is played by saint Clement’s relics, which legitimate the earthly power of the abbey. The final act is played in front of the altar, where a monumental inscription informs the visitor to be in front of the holy relics of the saints Clement, Peter and Paul. As the inscription significantly specifies, Peter “holds” the rights of the monastery (iura tenentis).