In the beginning...

Here's a very nice venture into some important history of Benedictinism: The Abbey of Norcia, Italy, the legendary birthplace of Benedict and Scholastica. According to the 2015 edition of the Catalogus Monasteriorum (Latin lives!) there were 10 monks, 4 first professed and one novice in the community at that time.

Their website is lovely, full of beautiful photos and videos. Be sure you go to History and Earthquake, particularly. Enjoy your mid-winter trip!