Abbazia di Farfa

History

Of early medieval origin, refounded towards the end of the seventh century by St Thomas of Maurienne, in the Carolingian age it was among the richest and most powerful imperial abbeys of Europe, with possessions stretching from the Tyrrhenian to the Adriatic. It preserves Carolingian remains unique in Italy, the medieval bell tower and a great library; it has been a national monument since 1928. Around it lives a delightful hamlet of small shops, and the Benedictine community is still present.

Visiting

What to see

Baroque basilica with medieval crypt. Romanesque cloister. Antique library. Cosmati mosaics. One of the most powerful abbeys of the European Middle Ages.

Surroundings

Sabina hills with olive and grape cultivation. 60 km from Rome. Medieval villages. Sabina extra virgin olive oil DOP. Hill trekking.

Visitor information

Winter hours 10am-1pm and 4pm-6pm, summer 10am-1pm and 3pm-6:30pm. Guided visits only, at 10, 11, noon, 3:30pm and 4:30pm. For booking guided visits: turismo@abbaziadifarfa.it.

Contacts

0765 277271 (cultural services and tours) · abbaziadifarfa.it · turismo@abbaziadifarfa.it

Hospitality and where to sleep

Guesthouse available

Monastic guesthouse and Bridgettine sisters' guest house

Beds and prices

The internal monastic guesthouse (6 rooms) takes men only, for retreats with the community; couples and families stay in the rooms of the outer wing, while groups and longer stays are handled by the Bridgettine sisters, who run a guest house in one wing of the monastery. Bookings via the contacts on abbaziadifarfa.it.

Services

Hamlet with a bar, small restaurant and craft shops a few steps from the portal; the monks' herbalist shop; drinking water in the hamlet. Wifi not documented in the monastic areas.

Places to stay nearby (within 15 km)

• Casa di accoglienza delle Suore Brigidine — Abbazia di Farfaguesthouse
  Farfa, Fara in Sabina (RI) · 0.1 km as the crow flies

  Price:

  donation-based / n/a

  Open:

  booking required

  Facilities:

  rooms in a wing of the monastery, mixed groups welcome

  Source:

  abbaziadifarfa.it

  Hospitality run by the Bridgettine Sisters in the Benedictine Abbey of Farfa, stage finish in the Sabina.

Getting there by bike

From the Tiber valley or from Fara in Sabina you pedal gentle hill roads among the olive groves of the Sabina, with a final stretch climbing lightly to the hamlet (about 150 m altitude): no fearsome ramps. Bikes can be left in the hamlet, in front of the abbey. Church free to enter; guided tour of the monastic rooms for a fee (full 6.50 €), closed Mondays.

Among the olive trees of the Sabina the final climb to Farfa is short, nothing to fear. The village around the abbey lives on shops and bars, handy for a stop. Visits are guided only, better to arrive on time for the fixed slots.

The bike can be left in the village in front of the abbey. A bar, small restaurant and shops steps from the gate, drinking water in the village.

Map and stages