Tre Fontane Abbey

Tre Fontane Abbey is a monastery complex in the southern suburbs of Rome, Lazio, named for the three springs on the site. It is traditionally associated with the martyrdom of Saint Paul, a key element of the site’s significance.

The complex contains church buildings, cloistered monastic quarters and the three springs that give the place its name; visitors typically view the fountains and the main church and walk the immediate grounds. The site functions as both a place of pilgrimage and a living monastery, so public access can be limited to specific areas and visiting hours.

The location has been a place of Christian devotion since antiquity and developed as a monastic site in the medieval period; the buildings visible today reflect layers of construction and restoration over many centuries. The abbey has remained a religious center while parts of the complex have been adapted for visitors and liturgical use.

The abbey sits in the southern part of Rome near the Via Laurentina corridor, on the outskirts of the built-up city. It is several kilometres south of central Rome and lies within an urban-suburban landscape rather than a rural setting.

• Three springs: The site takes its name from three springs that are traditionally linked to the martyrdom of Saint Paul and are still visible on the grounds.
• Monastic community: A working monastic community occupies the abbey; parts of the complex are open to the public while other areas remain cloistered.