Just outside Rome, in the tranquil Abbey of Tre Fontane, monks have been brewing beer according to the Trappist tradition since 1854. The Belgian-style beers they produce are some of the most sought-after in the world. And while it’s not easy to get your hands on a bottle of their coveted products—they’re only sold at the abbey—it’s well worth seeking out if you’re a fan of complex, flavorful beers.
Established by French Cistercian monks and sanctioned by Pope Honorius III in 1218, this abbey takes its name from the story that tells of Saint Paul’s beheading at the site and his head bouncing three times, causing water to spring forth from three different spots. This historic landmark consists of three churches:
- 1. Chiesa del Monastero SS. Vincenzo e Anastasio;
- 2. Chiesa S. Maria Scala Coeli;
- 3. Chiesa del Martirio di S. Paolo.
Rome’s hidden gem, Abbey of Tre Fontane, is a best-kept secret among locals and tourists alike.
The Tre Fontane is a peaceful oasis inside the city, and it has a very different atmosphere from other churches in Rome. When you enter, you will feel like you are in a different world, away from all of the traffic and noise outside.
It is a refuge from busy city life, with an atmosphere of contemplation and religiosity reminiscent of Rome’s churches before they were overrun with tourists. Visitors to Tre Fontane can appreciate silence and solitude, something increasingly rare in today’s world.
The Abbey of Tre Fontane in Rome has been brewing beer according to the Trappist tradition since 1854.
The Abbey of Tre Fontane in Rome has been brewing beer according to the Trappist tradition since 1854. The monks of the Abbey follow the same rigorous standards that are applied to all Trappist breweries, and their beer is widely considered to be some of the best in the world. Visitors to the Abbey can purchase bottles of delicious Trappist beers to take home with them.
The Belgian-style beers they produce are some of the most sought-after in the world.
Few things go together as well as beer and religion. For centuries, monks have been perfecting the art of brewing, and the Trappist beers produced at the Chiesa delle Tre Fontane in Rome are some of the best in the world. The abbey also produces and sells liqueurs, honey and various chocolates, which are still relatively unknown products in Rome.
Despite its small size, the Chiesa delle Tre Fontane brewery in Rome produces some of the best Trappist beer in the world. The monks who run the brewery take great care in producing their beer, and it shows in the final product. Despite being relatively unknown, their beers are worth seeking out for fans of complex, flavorful tastes.
Find the Abbey of Tre Fontane and more Rome’s hidden gems in my off-the-beaten-path Travel Map of Rome:
