Hidden Gems

Every now and then, you come across gems like this one. In a beautiful collection we were able to acquire, we found this lovely rosary. It was the first time we had come across such a unique piece.

What made it special was that the cross on the rosary can be opened with a kind of clasp on the underside. When we opened it, we saw a compartment in which relics were kept. The inscription T.T. Trappist appears on the back. This inscription refers to Tre Fontane. It is a monastery complex and pilgrimage site in Rome, managed by the Trappists. Rosaries were made or blessed by the Trappists here. Relics from this holy site were sometimes placed in the compartment in the cross.

Tre Fontane (or Abbazia delle Tre Fontane) is a Trappist abbey located in Rome, south of the city center. The name "Tre Fontane" (Three Fountains) refers to a legend from the 5th century: according to tradition, the holy apostle Paul was beheaded here on the orders of Emperor Nero. After his beheading, his head is said to have struck the ground three times, after which a spring (fountain) emerged at each spot. These three springs can still be seen on the abbey grounds. The abbey has been an important pilgrimage site since the 7th century and has a rich history connected with the Benedictines, Cistercians, and eventually the Trappists. Since 1867, the abbey has been managed by the Trappists, a strict monastic order known for its life of silence, prayer, and manual labor.

Tre Fontane Abbey still exists and remains active as a Trappist abbey. Visitors can explore the complex, admire the churches, and even taste Trappist beer, which has carried the Authentic Trappist Product label since 2015. The abbey is open daily, and the abbey church is accessible from 6:30 to 20:45. More information can be found on the abbey's official website.

This special piece from the collection can be viewed in our shop: Antique rosary with relic holder.