Abbey of San Martino delle Scale, Benedictine abbey in San Martino delle Scale, Italy

The Abbey of San Martino delle Scale is a Benedictine monastery in San Martino delle Scale near Monreale, set between Monte Cuccio and Monte Caputo. The church has a single nave with five chapels on each side and connects monastic buildings from different periods.

Tradition holds that Pope Gregory I founded the first monastery here in 573 or 581, and it was razed by Saracens around 820. A 1347 refoundation act from the chancery of Archbishop Emanuele Spinola records the medieval rebuilding; monks came from San Nicola l'Arena at Nicolosi, below Etna, and Angelo Sinisio was first abbot from 1352 to 1386. The present church was rebuilt from 1564 to 1595 and consecrated in 1602.

The refectory features a wall painting from 1589 by Jesuit painter Pietro Novelli, completed in 1763 by Vincenzo Riolo, who also decorated other rooms within the complex. The cloister columns display carved capitals that depict scenes from the Old Testament.

The complex lies about 15 kilometers from Palermo and can be reached via a mountain road through pine forests. Visitors may attend prayer sessions and find accommodation for individuals and groups.

The monastery operates restoration workshops where art objects from churches in the area are repaired. The historical library with old manuscripts and printed works remains open to researchers and the public.