Sacred Stained Glass for the Benedictine Monks of Norcia
IKO Studio had the honor of receiving one of its most prestigious commissions since its founding: creating sacred stained glass for the Benedictine Monks of Norcia.
The Earthquake That Changed Everything
On the morning of October 30, 2016, at 7:40 AM, a violent earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale struck central Italy, causing severe damage to the beautiful medieval villages, in the Umbria region, including Norcia.
Norcia, the birthplace of Saint Benedict and his twin sister Scholastica in the 5th century, is home to one of the most important monastic orders in the world: the Benedictine Monks of Norcia. The earthquake destroyed the Basilica of Saint Benedict in the historic center and rendered the San Benedetto in Monte monastery uninhabitable.
Fortunately, no lives were lost, but the monastery was completely leveled, and the ancient church was severely damaged.
A New Beginning for the Benedictine Monks
Thanks to donations from all over the world, a new monastery and a wooden earthquake-resistant chapel were built. IKO Studio was honored to be commissioned to create five artistic stained glass windows in a traditional Gothic and geometric style to adorn the new chapel.
Excellence in Craftsmanship
This commission proved to be one of the most challenging projects in IKO Studio’s history. The stained glass windows, decorated with grisaille painting, feature sharp, precise lines without shading to preserve the traditional style.
The project was executed with meticulous care and teamwork. I personally oversaw the design, cutting lines, and the preparation of approximately 500 individual glass pieces. My heartfelt thanks go to my collaborators Andrea Marsicola, Francesca Isoldi, and Liz Bottomley, whose exceptional contributions to the painting were carefully supervised.
For the lead came assembly, we collaborated with Mondo Vetro studio in Vicenza. Diego Cozza joined us to assist in completing this critical phase of the process.
An Innovative Installation for these Gothic stained glass windows
The sacred stained glass for the Benedictine Monks of Norcia were installed using an innovative system that combines the artistic glass with a single layer of shatterproof glass, employing an aluminum spacer bar with desiccant salts. This method ensures:
- Excellent thermal insulation.
- Prevention of moisture formation between the protective external glass and the artistic window.
Inside the chapel, the stained glass retains its traditional aesthetic: the glass, lead, and steel reinforcement bars—secured with copper wires—are tangible elements, evoking the beauty of ancient cathedrals.
The wooden frames were expertly crafted by Mobili Duchi, a carpentry workshop in Città di Castello, with whom we were delighted to collaborate to complete this project to the highest standard.
An Unforgettable Experience
It was a great pleasure to collaborate with Father Prior Benedict and witness the moving Latin celebrations sung by the monks. We extend our gratitude to Father Prior for his particularly touching homily inspired by the light passing through our stained glass windows: light filtered through colors and geometric designs, transformed into a divine message.
IKO Studio is honored to have contributed to the rebirth of this place of worship with its sacred stained glass for the Benedictine Monks of Norcia, bringing beauty through light and glass.
Discover More About Our Sacred Stained Glass Windows
If this sacred stained glass for the Benedictine Monks of Norcia inspired you, we invite you to explore all our creations on the page dedicated to sacred stained glass windows. Each work is a harmonious blend of art, tradition, and spirituality, designed to enhance churches, chapels, and places of worship.
