Trisulti Charterhouse

Trisulti Charterhouse, or Certosa di Trisulti, is a historically significant monastery situated in Collepardo, within the province of Frosinone in central Italy. Nestled on the slopes of Monte Rotonaria at an elevation of 825 meters, its origins trace back to a Benedictine abbey founded in 996 by Saint Dominic Abbot. The current complex, however, was substantially erected starting in 1204 under the directive of Pope Innocent III, who entrusted it to the Carthusian order. The abbey church, dedicated to Saint Bartholomew, received its consecration in 1211.

The name "Trisulti" is thought to originate from the Latin "tres saltibus," signifying "at the three jumps," likely referencing a castle belonging to the Colonna family that controlled three vital mountain passes. Over the centuries, the charterhouse underwent numerous enlargements and modifications, with its present appearance largely reflecting a Baroque restoration.

In 1947, the monastery transitioned to the Cistercian Congregation of Casamari Abbey, where it continues to function as an active Cistercian community. The charterhouse is enclosed by imposing walls and features a Romanesque-Gothic guesthouse, commonly referred to as the "Palace of Innocent III." This guesthouse includes a portico, a terrace, and a notable library housing 36,000 volumes. The church of San Bartolomeo, originally Gothic, was extensively rebuilt in the Baroque style, featuring a façade designed by Paolo Posi in 1798. The interior contains finely carved wooden choirs, frescoes by Giuseppe Caci, and altarpieces by Vincenzo Manenti and others. The complex also boasts an 18th-century pharmacy adorned with trompe-l'œil frescoes.

Trisulti Charterhouse gained international attention in 2018 when plans were announced by Steve Bannon to establish a "gladiator school" for aspiring right-wing politicians within its walls. This initiative led to a legal dispute involving the Dignitatis Humanae Institute and the Italian government, concerning allegations of unpaid rent and fraudulent lease acquisition, though an Italian court later ruled in favor of the lease being obtained correctly.