Territorial Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore

This red brick monastery stands on a hill with three cloisters, featuring a square entrance tower connected by a medieval drawbridge.

Bernardo Tolomei established Monte Oliveto Maggiore in 1313, which received papal approval from Pope Clement VI in 1344 as a new monastic congregation.

The Great Cloister walls display thirty-five Renaissance frescoes by Luca Signorelli and Il Sodoma illustrating the life of Saint Benedict.

The monastery opens its library of 40,000 volumes to researchers and maintains a collection of medicinal herbs dating from the 17th century.

A 16th-century fish pond designed by Pelori provided sustenance during periods when Benedictine rules prohibited meat consumption.

Location: Asciano

Inception: 14 century

Founders: Bernardo Tolomei

Part of: Kirchenregion Toskana

Shares border with: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino, Roman Catholic Diocese of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro, Roman Catholic Diocese of Montepulciano-Chiusi-Pienza

Website: http://webdiocesi.chiesacattolica.it/cci_new/vis_diocesi.jsp?idDiocesi

GPS coordinates: 43.17528,11.54417

Latest update: May 27, 2025 11:21