Abbazia di Santa Maria di Pulsano, Abbey in Monte Sant'Angelo, Italy

Abbazia di Santa Maria di Pulsano is a monastery complex on the hillside of Monte Sant'Angelo, in the province of Foggia. Pale stone buildings stand on terraces held by rough stone walls, with rows of small trees planted along the levels; bare rock outcrops break through on the left. The abbey church, dedicated to the Mother of God, was completed in 1177. Several hermitages used as dwellings surround the complex, reached by ropes or ladders.

The abbey was founded in 591, possibly built over ruins of an ancient sacred site. After suffering destruction, it was rebuilt in 1129 under San Giovanni da Matera's direction.

Every 8 September, the feast of the Madonna di Pulsano brings pilgrims from Monte Sant'Angelo to the abbey on mule-back. The monastic community founded in 1997 is bi-ritual, celebrating in both the Latin and the Byzantine rite. The hermitages were voted a FAI Luogo del Cuore in 2010 with 34,118 nominations.

Access to the abbey requires pressing a button at the left side of the entrance gate. Wear sturdy shoes when exploring the site, as the paths and ground are uneven and rocky.

In 2010 the hermitages were voted Luogo del Cuore in the FAI census with 34,118 reports, a figure that made them one of the best-supported sites in that year's vote. The hermitages themselves are reached only by ropes or ladders, as the hermits once did.