Abbadia San Salvatore, Medieval monastery town in Monte Amiata, Tuscany, Italy.
Abbadia San Salvatore is a commune built into the slopes of Monte Amiata at around 800 meters elevation, with narrow lanes and stone buildings defining its structure. The streets connect multiple churches and wind through a layered hillside settlement that has kept its medieval character.
The Benedictine Abbey of San Salvatore was founded in the mid-8th century and once housed the Codex Amiatinus, one of the oldest Latin biblical manuscripts. This religious center shaped how the surrounding settlement grew and developed over the following centuries.
The town takes its name from the ancient abbey that has shaped its identity for over a thousand years. Walking through the streets, you sense how monastic life once organized the entire community around this religious center.
Spring through early autumn are the best seasons to explore, as mountain paths remain accessible and snow doesn't block the higher streets. Good walking shoes are essential since the lanes are steep and paved with uneven cobblestones throughout the town.
The abbey's underground chamber holds 32 columns from the 7th century, each with different decorative patterns and building styles. This collection reveals how various architectural traditions were brought together in a single structure.
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