The relationship between man and nature has been strongly influenced in the European context by the contribution of Christianity, that shifted from a view of nature as an entity secondary to man, to one of direct manifestation of the divine in creation. These positions have influenced the architectural scene and the perception of the land, even to the formation of imagery about the landscape. The place of worship is central theme, being the subject of the dispute between canonical liturgy and the free profession of faith. The hermitages make themselves a synthesis of both positions, inserting anthropic elements within the natural territory, adapting to it in a symbiotic cohesion. This paper aims to explore the relationship between man and nature starting from Christianspirituality and the way it is reflected in the architecture and landscapes of hermitages in Abruzzo, Italy and promoting a broader reflection on architecture in natural contexts. The paper provides insight into the theological underpinnings of this relationship, examines the historical context of the hermitic tradition by analyzing the architecture of the peculiar retreats in the mountains of Abruzzo. This paper employs a multidisciplinary approach using literature reviews, visits and visual-graphic analysis between hermitages and secular architecture in the natural environment. Hermitages anticipate the modern approach of returning to nature and the development of spirituality. Their architectural conformation juxtaposes anthropic volumes with natural forms, integrating them and constituting an unexpected union between the human and the natural. Hermitage tradition in Abruzzo provides a tangible manifestation of the Christian vision of the relationship between man and nature. Furthermore, the study highlights the cultural role of religion in shaping the role in the imagery of the natural environment and architecture.
Hermitic landscapes: spiritual explorations between nature and architecture in Abruzzo's monastery (Italy). Spirituality reflected in the architecture and landscapes of hermitages in Abruzzo: an exploration of the relationship between man and nature
Caterina Palestini;Giovanni Rasetti
2023-01-01
Abstract
The relationship between man and nature has been strongly influenced in the European context by the contribution of Christianity, that shifted from a view of nature as an entity secondary to man, to one of direct manifestation of the divine in creation. These positions have influenced the architectural scene and the perception of the land, even to the formation of imagery about the landscape. The place of worship is central theme, being the subject of the dispute between canonical liturgy and the free profession of faith. The hermitages make themselves a synthesis of both positions, inserting anthropic elements within the natural territory, adapting to it in a symbiotic cohesion. This paper aims to explore the relationship between man and nature starting from Christianspirituality and the way it is reflected in the architecture and landscapes of hermitages in Abruzzo, Italy and promoting a broader reflection on architecture in natural contexts. The paper provides insight into the theological underpinnings of this relationship, examines the historical context of the hermitic tradition by analyzing the architecture of the peculiar retreats in the mountains of Abruzzo. This paper employs a multidisciplinary approach using literature reviews, visits and visual-graphic analysis between hermitages and secular architecture in the natural environment. Hermitages anticipate the modern approach of returning to nature and the development of spirituality. Their architectural conformation juxtaposes anthropic volumes with natural forms, integrating them and constituting an unexpected union between the human and the natural. Hermitage tradition in Abruzzo provides a tangible manifestation of the Christian vision of the relationship between man and nature. Furthermore, the study highlights the cultural role of religion in shaping the role in the imagery of the natural environment and architecture.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
