Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore

History

Founded in 1313 by the Sienese jurist Bernardo Tolomei, who withdrew to the "desert of Accona", it is the mother house of the Olivetan Benedictine congregation. The great cloister holds the celebrated fresco cycle on the life of St Benedict by Luca Signorelli and Sodoma. The monastic community is still active, engaged in antique book restoration, liturgy and the production of liqueurs and honey.

Visiting

What to see

Benedictine monastery in the Crete Senesi landscape. Church with 17th-century decoration. Library and scriptorium with medieval manuscripts. Great cloister with Renaissance frescoes by Signorelli and Sodoma depicting scenes from Saint Benedict's life.

Surroundings

Crete Senesi (clay hills UNESCO Geopark). Val d'Orcia. Asciano medieval village. White gravel roads for gravel cycling. Brunello wine region. Pecorino cheese, cinta senese pork.

Visitor information

Visits by appointment. Guided tours available. Church and cloister viewable. Contact the monastery for visiting hours.

Contacts

0577 707611 · monteolivetomaggiore.it · info@monteolivetomaggiore.it

Hospitality and where to sleep

Guesthouse available

Guesthouse for stays of prayer, by reservation

Beds and prices

The guesthouse welcomes those seeking a period of rest and prayer following the rhythm of the Rule, by reservation through the abbey (tel. 0577 707611). Alternatively, farm stays and rooms in Chiusure and Buonconvento (mid-range).

Services

Drinking water; shop with the monks' products (Flora liqueur, honey) and refreshment point at the complex; bars and trattorias in Chiusure and Buonconvento. Wifi not documented in the guest areas.

Places to stay nearby (within 15 km)

No places listed within 15 km yet: the overnight network is a work in progress.

Getting there by bike

Free entry to the complex and the church according to the official site. Check on site for any tickets required for temporary exhibitions.

The clay badlands of the Crete Senesi accompany riders to Chiusure with continuous ups and downs, never flat. From the car park above you walk down into the wood, the bike stays up top. Entry appears to be free again, but worth checking on arrival.

Bike to leave up top at the entrance car park. Drinking water, a shop with the monks' products and a refreshment point at the complex. Bars and trattorias are found in Chiusure and Buonconvento.

Map and stages