Convento B, Italy

Convento B is a church, convent and college complex nestled in the hills above a small Italian township. This convent and college closed in the mid-1990’s, and have lay abandoned ever since. This large site covers nearly 0.7 hecatres, and sits within 5.5 hectare grounds including a large olive grove. The site is for sale, and is valued at over € 3 million.

A long winding road snakes up the hill towards the convent. The most prominent feature upon arrival on the grounds, is the old church.  A church has stood at this site since the 15th Centuary, but the present incarnation dates back to the 17th Centuary. Inside there are ten frescoes painted on the walls, depicting stories from the life of Christ. These were painted by the friars who lived here.

The attached convent and cloisters also date back to the 17th Century. In the centre of the enclosed courtyard, sits an old well. The rooms of the convent are relatively simple, being purely functional for use by the mendicant residents.

A college was added in the 1920’s, which was built perpendicular to the 17th Century church and cloisters in a separate wing. Inside this wing is a small chapel-like room,  with red and orange painted ceilings and walls. Angels are depicted in traditional poses on the walls, looking over their flock. A gymnasium and tipografia were added in the 1960’s.