Badia del Buonsollazzo, Cistercian monastery in Borgo San Lorenzo, Italy
Badia del Buonsollazzo is a monastic complex on the northern slope of Monte Senario consisting of a single-nave church with lateral chapels, a conventual building, and a cloister. The site now operates under private ownership following its transfer from religious orders.
Founded in 1084, the monastery came under Cistercian control in 1320 and underwent major reconstruction between 1707 and 1720 under Grand Duke Cosimo III. This rebuilding shaped the complex as it appears today.
The church displays rectangular windows with stone frames and a central portal crowned by the Medici family coat of arms, marking their role as patrons.
The monastery sits on a sloping terrain, so wear sturdy footwear and allow time to explore the grounds properly. Since it is privately managed, it is worth checking visiting conditions in advance.
The monastery walls contain fragments of original cloister columns from the medieval structure of the 11th century. These remnants offer a glimpse into the early construction of the site before later rebuilding.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
