Abbazia di Sant'Antimo

History

Tradition attributes its foundation to Charlemagne (781); the present twelfth-century church, in travertine and luminous alabaster, is among the peaks of Italian Romanesque, with the capital of Daniel in the lions' den attributed to the Master of Cabestany. Fallen into decline and suppressed in 1462 by Pius II, it was reborn in the twentieth century: today services are held, visits are managed by Opera Laboratori, and Gregorian chant remains at home here.

Visiting

What to see

Romanesque jewel in travertine in the Val d'Orcia. Three naves with geometric decorations. Medieval crypt. Apse with carved capitals. Gregorian chanting.

Surroundings

Val d'Orcia (UNESCO Heritage). Pienza, Montalcino. Brunello wine vineyards. White gravel roads for gravel cycling. Pecorino cheese, cinta senese pork.

Visitor information

Daily: 10am-6.30pm April to September, 10am-6pm in October, 10.30am-5pm November to March; on holidays access after Mass

Contacts

0577 286300 · antimo.it · antimo@operalaboratori.com

Hospitality and where to sleep

No guesthouse

No guesthouse. Hotels and B&Bs in Montalcino (5 km). Farm stays in the Val d'Orcia.

Beds and prices

There is currently no guesthouse open to travellers; alternatives in Castelnuovo dell'Abate, 1 km away, among B&Bs and farm stays (mid-range), or in Montalcino with wide choice (mid-to-upper range). Book ahead in season.

Services

Picnic area with wooden tables and benches in the meadow in front of the church; water and grocery-bar in Castelnuovo dell'Abate (1 km, uphill). Bookshop inside. Wifi not documented.

Places to stay nearby (within 15 km)

• Foresteria monastica di Sant'Antimoguesthouse
  Castelnuovo dell'Abate, Montalcino (SI) · 0.2 km as the crow flies

  Price:

  n/a (contribution)

  Open:

  booking required (tel. 0577 286300)

  Facilities:

  10 beds, kitchen use, refectory; no bed linen provided (bring a sleeping bag)

  Source:

  antimo.it

  The abbey's guesthouse in the village of Castelnuovo dell'Abate, stage finish in the Val d'Orcia.

Getting there by bike

From Montalcino about 10 km on the road to Castelnuovo dell'Abate: scenic ups and downs among the Brunello vineyards, then a short asphalt descent to the abbey meadow, on the floor of the Starcia valley. Bikes can be left at the car park by the entrance. Church free to enter; charges for the videoguide (from 3 €) and the full "Via della Luce" route (6-7 €).

The ups and downs among the Brunello vineyards set you up well for the final descent to the abbey. The meadow in front of the church is the right place for a long stop. Water is found only by climbing back up to Castelnuovo dell'Abate, one kilometre uphill.

The bike can be left at the entrance car park. Picnic area with tables in front of the church; water and a bar-grocery in Castelnuovo dell'Abate.

Map and stages