
View on Rievaulx Abbey from close by National Trust's Rievaulx Terrace (read full article for more info)

Path to Rievaulx Abbey from close by National Trust's Rievaulx Terrace (read full article for more info)

The Tuscan Temple. The Tuscan Temple at Rievaulx Terrace, is very similar to the rotunda at Duncombe Park. The main differences are that the Rievaulx Temple stands on a podium rather than on a set of steps, and that the columns have no bases.

Inside, rich plasterwork decorates the walls and ceiling. In the centre of the dome is a painted roundel of a winged goddess, which is attributed to the Italian artist Andrea Casali. Casali was encouraged to come to England by Thomas Duncombe II’s father-in-law, who employed him at Castle Howard.

On the floor are 13th century tiles from nearby Byland Abbey, re-laid during the 1920’s. While the Temple is not open to visitors, its beautiful interior can still be enjoyed by the view through the windows.

Like the Tuscan Temple it has a classical Roman source- the Maison Carree at Nimes, and again is likely to have been designed by Thomas Robinson in the late 1750’s.

Although the room is filled with beautiful furniture and ceramic; including Chamberlain Worcester porcelain, and a set of twelve mid-18th century mahogany dining chairs, the chief glory is the ceiling. The restored plasterwork of the portico looks back to the work of Inigo, Jones, and the early 17th century father of Palladianism. Its frescoes of mythological scenes are the work of Italian painter Giuseppe Mattia Borgnis, who came to England around 1753. In the centre of the ceiling is Aurora, Apollo and the Muses, based on the Guido Reni’s mural in the Palazzo Rospigliosi in Rome.

Here the Duncombe family and guests would dine and socialise after promenading along the Terrace. The lavish interior must have been a magnificent sight to behold by the privileged guests.

It was here that monks gathered to eat. They ate in silence while listening to a reading delivered from the pulpit, the large recess in the wall to your right. The monks diet was largely vegetarian. The main hot food was the thick soup, made from beans and vegetables.
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