Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore

Bernardo Tolomei, Patrizio Patrizi, and Ambrogio Piccolomini, three noblemen from Siena moved by the desire to embrace a life of simplicity and contemplation, decided to leave behind the luxury and wealth of the city to follow the Benedictine rule. They wisely chose as their spiritual desert the "Podere di Acona," a place where, just like today, peace and tranquility reign supreme.

The majestic monastic complex, primarily built with bricks, rises with a solemnity that seems to blend with the dense forest surrounding it. The spaces and rooms of the Abbey unfold in harmony with the surrounding nature, as if they were an integral part of the landscape. Here, in the heart of the vegetation, isolated chapels hidden in the silence of the woods are scattered and protect the main structure, creating an atmosphere of deep spirituality.

The Abbey is still inhabited by the Olivetan monks, guardians of an ancient tradition. By visiting it, you can immerse yourself in the peace of the wonderful church, admire the large cloister decorated with the famous cycle of frescoes depicting the stories of Saint Benedict, a masterpiece begun by Luca Signorelli and completed by Antonio Bazzi, known as the Sodoma. You will also discover the refectory, where silence echoes with prayers and reflections, the library, which has preserved treasures of knowledge for centuries, the precious pharmacy, with its typical containers, and a small museum, surprisingly rich, that will reveal more wonders. Finally, you can visit a wine cellar, where you will uncover an ancient herbal recipe and the authentic flavors of wines and other products from the farm.

This magnificent chapel, hidden in the heart of the cloistered area and thus inaccessible to visitors, holds an atmosphere of intimate sanctity. Built in 1549, it was later expanded and completely frescoed in 1607. Inside, life-sized figures of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Saint Frances of Rome, Saint Scholastica, Saint Anthony the Abbot, Saint Placidus, Saint Maurus, Saint Hippolytus, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Lawrence, and Saint Bernard seem to come alive from the walls, with a solemn presence that fills the space.

Two evocative views of the Abbey adorn the walls, visually telling the story of the place. The ceiling is a triumph of decorations: vegetal vines, fruits, flowers, and animals dance above, creating an intricate pattern that celebrates the beauty of creation. Although not open to visitors, the chapel remains a hidden jewel, a precious part of this sacred place where art and spirituality merge in timeless harmony.

Due suggestive vedute dell’Abbazia si stagliano sulle pareti, raccontando visivamente la storia del luogo. La volta è un trionfo di decorazioni: tralci vegetali, frutti, fiori e animali danzano sopra la testa, creando un intreccio che celebra la bellezza della creazione. Anche se non visitabile, la cappella rimane un gioiello nascosto, una parte preziosa di questo luogo sacro, dove l’arte e la spiritualità si fondono in un’armonia senza tempo.

During certain liturgies (the Conventual Mass, Vespers, Compline, and partly during Lauds), it is possible to participate in moments of pure contemplation when Gregorian chant begins to resonate in the air. The ancient melodies, devoutly attributed to Pope Gregory the Great, seem to emerge from the past, enveloping every corner of the Abbey in an aura of sanctity. It is as if time itself is suspended, allowing each note to spread through the air, carrying with it a reverberation of distant ages. The Olivetan monks, custodians of this priceless musical heritage, continue with deep devotion an ancient tradition. Their singing, imbued with spirituality and continuity, creates an unbreakable bond between the past and the present, enveloping the listener in an experience that transcends time, instilling peace in the soul and a sense of connection with the divine.

Imagine a mild September day in 1462, walking alongside Pope Pius II as he approaches the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, where he will stay for three days. Surrounded by a landscape that seems to have been sculpted by the divine hand itself, the eyes fall upon the gullies that rise all around, and the wild grandeur of these formations takes your breath away. In his Commentarii, the Pope vividly describes the deep impression these places left on him: "If you ask what the shape of the hill in which it resides is like, observe the leaf of a chestnut tree. Craggy, steep cliffs, and profound abysses (whose sight induces dread and horror) prevent access from all sides, except for a narrow strip of land, at the entrance of which stands a solid tower in defense..."

Pius II’s words evoke a powerful vision where nature appears both majestic and inaccessible, a place that inspires awe and reverence. To hear these words is to immerse oneself in a past where man confronted the untamable force of the earth on a daily basis. Even today, visiting the Abbey, one can sense that mixture of wonder and fear that the Pope himself experienced centuries ago, standing before a landscape that not only enchants but also challenges and dominates all who gaze upon it.