The Temples of Colle Oppio
Discovering the “Celestial Dwellings” of Pietro Gentili, the “Cosmic Artist” (1932–2008)
Where
On the Outskirts of Rome: An Encounter with Art and Philosophy
It was around 2005 when we met Pietro Gentili at his home in Colle Oppio. Though worn down by illness, he invited us to his table and, with simplicity, shared bread, olive oil, olives, and chilled wine with us. Then he takes us on a mystical journey through his “thorny garden,” where his four small “temples” are sanctuaries of light, beauty, and meditation: gateways to the infinite.
The Temple of Mother Earth: The Blue Light
“My mystical journey begins at the first sanctuary, the one linked to the pain of Mother Earth; at the door, we are greeted by the image of the Zodiac and the Angel, and it is here that the great book of Creation is kept and the light of my heart’s beloved is enclosed; this simple dwelling is permeated by a blue light, a symbol of maternal love.”
The Temple of the Angels: The Colors of the Rainbow
“Continuing along the path, we ascend a narrow stone staircase, and here we find the dwelling of the Angels, also perched on the edge of a precipice and octagonal in shape. The walls are decorated with mirrors, and high above, where the sides meet, there is a gold leaf that accentuates the octagonal shape; the whole structure is crowned by a white and gold dome; but what makes this dwelling extraordinary is that it represents the celestial rainbow with the seven colors of manifested light; each color is represented by its own Angel, so an Angel appears on every wall. [...] The floor and the ceiling, including the dome, are entirely made of mirrors of various colors, creating an infinite reflection.”
The Temple of the Cosmic Egg
“As we ascend further, we find the four mystical columns supporting a dome marked with empty space, from which hangs the cosmic egg, swaying with the breath of the wind; at the base of the columns is a pool of water that reflects the surrounding nature, reminding us of the myth of Narcissus.”
The Oasis of Peace
“After that, we enter the large hall known as the Oasis of Peace. In this vast space stands a large golden Sun and a large Angel; there are four votive columns, each decorated differently. The interior of this place of peace is filled with objects, sculptures, and votive images.”
The Temples of Colle Oppio: Messages of Infinity
It was the philosopher and mystic Baba Bedi XVI who defined Pietro Gentili as a “cosmic artist,” recognizing the power of his art. We have chosen to describe these celestial dwellings using Pietro Gentili’s own simple and direct words, taken from his book *Una vita e un’arte* (2003). Today, the temples of Colle Oppio, built in the 1970s, gracefully welcome the silent passage of the years and seasons. The most fragile works have been moved to the Pietro Gentili Archive in San Vito Romano, where they are cared for with love and dedication by Pietro’s daughter, Emanuela.
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