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The Never-ending Story
A Spiritual Presence in Pratovecchio Throughout the Centuries
To begin with, the legacy of Mariae Nivis was born from the profound desire of the Freschi & Vangelisti family. Specifically, they wanted to restore the ancient building that was originally founded in 1567. This ambitious project was made possible thanks to Father Vincenzo Galassi. Indeed, he envisioned a sanctuary for village girls who possessed a true vocation but lacked a dowry. Moreover, the construction was supported by the historical Company of Our Lady of the Snow. Ultimately, this entire journey can be summarized in one single word: Love.
The history of the foundation
Historically, Father Vincenzo Galassi established this monastic complex for the daughters of the local bourgeoisie. Over the following centuries, the building—located in the ancient heart of Pratovecchio—was inhabited and developed by Saint Dominique’s nuns.
Notably, the foundation was supported by the assets of the Company of Our Lady of the Snows, which was a secular organization dedicated to the community’s needs.
Following the official approval on July 29, 1567, the spiritual journey began in earnest. Consequently, on September 29th, 1571, the Bishop of Fiesole, Francesco Cattani, formally collected the professions of the “consecrated and veiled” girls.
The construction of the monastery
Regarding the physical structure, religious life officially commenced on September 8th, 1571. At that time, the consecration of the church took place in May 1572.
Furthermore, the entire complex was cleverly integrated around existing houses, gardens, and a hostel for travelers. Additionally, the site was located near Borgo Mezzo’s ancient oratory, known as the “Cappella Vecchio.”
To facilitate the expansion, formal permission was requested from the Camaldolese Fathers. As documented in the 1567 agreement drawn up in Florence, the Fathers granted permission to build the new structure by “leaning the new wall against the old wall of said Oratory.”
Sad Moments
Nevertheless, the religious community faced numerous hardships throughout its long history. During the Napoleonic rule in 1810, the nuns were forced to leave their home, returning only in 1814 before being displaced again in 1891. In this difficult era, the monastery was even put up for auction. Eventually, the property was redeemed by three courageous nuns, and on September 20th, 1891, the community finally returned to their beloved convent.
The Monastic Community Today: A Journey of Restoration and Renewal
Currently, the historical structure no longer meets the modern needs of the religious community. As a result, the sisters decided to build a new monastery in the area of San Donato, overlooking Pratovecchio. Indeed, this new project was remarkably efficient, taking only three years to complete between 2014 and 2017.
Today, the restoration of the original site is led by the architect Morrone and his sons, Marco and Francesco. Remarkably, these are the same dedicated professionals who are currently bringing the ancient Conventus Mariae Nivis back to life.
