I mentioned in the video that Mystic Topaz gets its colour from a process called Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD). But this technology wasn't actually invented to make cheap rocks look pretty. It was invented for heavy industry.
If you walk into a hardware store and look at high-end drill bits or saw blades, you will notice they often have a bright gold or iridescent sheen to them. That is a PVD coating of Titanium Nitride. Industrial manufacturers use it because it creates an incredibly hard, microscopic surface layer that reduces friction and extends the life of cutting tools.
At some point in the 1990s, the jewelry industry realized that if they hijacked this machinist's trick and applied it to the bottom of a cheap, colorless Topaz, it would act like an iridescent mirror. When you buy a Mystic Topaz, you aren't buying a rare geological phenomenon. You are wearing the exact same surface treatment used to coat a masonry drill bit.
Santa Maria d' Arabona is a Cistercianabbey in Manoppello - Abruzzo, in central Italy constructed in 1208.
Zoom in and you'll see Templar Symbols
Manoppello, Italy, is an epicenter of medieval religious history, best known for housing the https://www.allentowndiocese.org/news/mystery-and-devotion-il-volto-santo ." data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; margin: 0px; text-decoration: underline 1px rgb(26, 13, 171); border-bottom: 0px rgb(26, 13, 171);">Holy Face of Manoppello—a revered cloth bearing the living image of Christ. The region also features the stunning medieval
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The Abbey of Santa Maria d'Arabona
Founded in 1197 by the Cistercian order, this abbey is famous for its soaring architecture and historical connections to medieval chivalric and religious orders. [1]
The Site: Designated a national monument, its Romanesque features include pointed arches and a magnificent east-facing rose window.
Templar Connections: While the abbey was originally Cistercian, the Knights Templar frequently maintained close ties with Cistercian monasteries. Historians and local lore link the site to both the Knights Templar and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.
Monastic Symbols: Throughout the abbey and its surrounding stone grounds, you can find mysterious, often ambiguous medieval graffiti, heraldic designs, and burial markers belonging to monks who lived at the site. [1, 2, 3]
Knights Templar Symbols
If you are exploring Abruzzo's Templar heritage, the symbols carved into the stone facades of these medieval churches usually include:
The Patriarchal Cross (or Cross of Lorraine): A double-barred cross often used by Templar knights and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Jerusalem Cross: A large central cross with four smaller crosses in the corners, symbolizing the five wounds of Christ and the crusades.
The "Beauceant": While primarily a war flag, its black-and-white color scheme (symbolizing the sins of the world and purity) was frequently incorporated into monastic and Templar stonework.
The Agnus Dei (Lamb of God): A very common Templar seal featuring a lamb carrying a banner, representing Christ's sacrifice and the order's vows of poverty. [1, 2]
The Holy Face of Manoppello
While visiting the area, the undisputed focal point is the Basilica del Volto Santo (Shrine of the Holy Face). [1, 2]
The sanctuary houses a sheer, transparent, and shimmering veil known as the Volto Santo.
Believed by many to be the Vera Icona (True Image) or Veil of Veronica, the cloth displays a peaceful, living face of Jesus with open eyes.
Scientific researchers and art historians have drawn direct, striking overlays between the facial characteristics on the Manoppello Veil and the face encoded on the Shroud of Turin. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Santa Maria Arabona is a stunning late-12th-century Cistercian abbey located in Manoppello, Italy. Nestled in the Abruzzo countryside, the majestic structure is renowned for its 13th-century stone tabernacle, towering Easter candle, and impressive medieval frescoes. [1, 2, 3, 4]
History & Architecture
Origins: Construction of the abbey began around 1208 under French and local direction, though it was never fully completed according to its grand initial design.
Design: It features a Cistercian layout and highlights French Gothic influences. The building's interior is bright and essential, allowing light to illuminate its historical treasures.
Masterpieces: Inside, you will find a beautifully decorated stone tabernacle, an intricate six-meter-high Easter candle twisting with reliefs of shrubs and animals, and frescoes attributed to 14th-century painter Antonio da Atri. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Planning Your Visit
Location: The abbey is located in the hamlet of Santa Maria Arabona within the municipality of Manoppello (Province of Pescara).
Surroundings: It rests at the foothills of the Maiella National Park, offering beautiful garden spaces and scenic views of the Pescara Valley.
Nearby Attraction: While in Manoppello, visitors often also stop at the Basilica of the Holy Face (Volto Santo), which houses a revered image believed by many to be the Holy Face of Jesus. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
The Abbey of Santa Maria Arabona (Abbazia di Santa Maria Arabona) is a 12th-century Cistercian monastery located in the town of Manoppello, within the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is considered the finest example of French Gothic architecture in the region.
Key Features and History
Ancient Origins: Built on the site of a pagan temple dedicated to Bona Dea, the Roman goddess of fertility.
Architecture: Construction began in 1197. It features a Latin cross plan and high, elegant Cistercian-style vaults, though the building remains technically incomplete.
Artistic Masterpieces:
Easter Candelabrum: A 6-meter stone candle holder decorated with intricate carvings of animals and shrubs.
Tabernacle: A 13th-century stone masterpiece supported by two pillars.
Frescoes: Features 1373 works by Antonio da Atri, including a Madonna with Child and a Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
Gardens: The abbey is surrounded by well-kept gardens featuring a fountain and an ancient balcony. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Visitor Information
Location: Via Santa Maria Arabona, 1, 65024 Manoppello PE.
Hours: Generally open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Sundays starting at 11:00 AM).
Entry: Visiting the church is typically free, though donations are welcome.
Accessibility: The entrance and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. [1, 2, 3]
💡 Pro Tip: While in Manoppello, most visitors also stop at the Sanctuary of the Holy Face (Volto Santo), which houses a famous veil believed to bear the image of Christ. [1]
Would you like to know about:
Guided tours that combine the abbey with local wine tastings?
Directions for getting there by train or car?
Other medieval abbeys to visit in the Pescara Valley? [1]
