The Abbey of Sant’Antimo is an ancient monastery located in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, part of the municipality of Montalcino in Tuscany.
Immersed in the lands of good wine there is a place of worship full of mysticism and history, it is the Abbey of Sant’Antimo. Let’s start immediately with a peculiar aspect as there is a legend surrounding the walls. It is said that in 781 d.c. an angel appeared to Carlo Magno who suggested to the soldiers to drink an infusion with local herbs. Carlo Magno was withdrawing from Rome due to a plague and thanks to this advice he was able to save all the troops. They were located right in the Sant’Antimo area and from there the first foundations were born, which have now become the sacristy.
The abbey as we know it today developed in the 12th century and has a very suggestive Romanesque structure. It is immersed in a natural basin and next to it there are centuries-old olive trees. During the Middle Ages it was abandoned and only thanks to the various restorations, which took place between the 19th and 20th centuries, the church has regained its ancient splendor which we can admire even in the 21st century.
The structure of the Abbey
The Abbey was built with travertine rock. Some of the rocks that are part of the colonnade, which surrounds the altar, are slightly transparent. Thanks to the illumination of artificial light, they can shine. This is the uniqueness of what is called alabaster. Inside the church there is a splendid 12th-century polychrome wooden crucifix and a very characteristic wooden statue depicting the Madonna di Sant’Antimo. Under the altar, you can also see an ancient crypt.
You can also visit the Garden of Santa Ildegarda, a green area built according to the indications of the Benedictine saint. In addition, in the Monaci pharmacy it is possible to buy products made with traditional recipes and, for those who want to be more contemptuous, even the tonic / bitter that saved the life of Charlemagne’s army. Outside the structure it is possible to admire all its beauty and uniqueness. In fact, many tourists meet for at least one photo in this church where art is combined with nature.
Curiosities: concerts, workshops and seminars are organized at the Abbey. Inside the complex there is the monastic pharmacy where you can buy natural products made with medicinal herbs, olive oil, red grapes, lavender.
Timetable: November – March every day at 10.30 am – 5.00 pm April – October every day 10 am-7pm
Mass: November – March from Monday to Friday 4.30pm; Sunday 11.00. April – October from Monday to Friday 6.30pm; Sunday 11.00.
Where: Località S. Antimo, 222, 53024 Castelnuovo dell’Abate.
Contacts: +39.075 678 9754.
The Abbey of Sant’Antimo has a own website which we invite you to consult.