Badia San Savino, Romanesque abbey in Montione, Cascina, Italy
Badia San Savino is a Romanesque abbey in Montione, Cascina, built on two levels with storage and cellars below and monk living quarters on the upper floor. The structure combines religious and practical functions within its stone walls, with the design reflecting how medieval communities organized their daily life within a single building.
Founded in 780, the abbey was initially controlled by Benedictine monks, but later came under Camaldolese direction, marking a shift in monastic practice. Military fortifications were added to the complex over time as protection became necessary for the religious community.
The church interior shows a Latin cross layout with a single nave and cross vaults, while a holy water stoup made from repurposed Etruscan funerary stone hints at how different periods left their mark on this space.
The abbey is best visited on foot and works well as part of exploring the Cascina area. Visiting outside of service times allows you to walk through the space and examine the architectural details without distraction.
Ancient engravings are carved directly into the churchyard wall, including inscriptions tied to the 13th-century cloister's construction and references from the local noble family Della Gherardesca. These carved stones reveal how local families marked their connection to the religious site over time.
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