Abbey of Sant'Antimo (Abbazia di Sant'Antimo) Tours
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One of Tuscany’s most beautiful sights, the Abbey of Sant'Antimo (Abbazia di Sant'Antimo) is a 12th-century Romanesque church and monastery set deep in the rolling olive groves outside the hilltown of Montalcino in the Val d'Orcia. The abbey is a popular stop during wine tours or day trips through the Tuscan countryside.
The Basics
Constructed of cream-colored travertine, the oldest of the abbey’s chapels is believed to have been founded by the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne, though its apse, frescoed radial chapels, and cloisters were completed centuries later. The Romanesque facade is carved with figures of the Apostles, while the stately bell tower is decorated in Lombard style. Thanks to its proximity to the Via Francigena pilgrimage route between France and Rome, Sant'Antimo was one of the most powerful Benedictine abbeys in Tuscany before Pope Pius II closed it in 1462. During its deconsecrated years, the church was used as a wine cellar and a cow shed, becoming an active place of worship again only in 1992.
The Abbey of Sant'Antimo is a popular stop on day trips to Tuscany from Rome, Florence, and Siena that explore the countryside surrounding Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza, and San Quirico d'Orcia. One-day sightseeing tours generally include lunch with a tasting of local Brunello di Montalcino wine.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Like most Italian churches and monasteries, the abbey requires modest clothing covering shoulders and knees to enter.
- The rolling hills of the Val d'Orcia and wooded slopes of Monte Amiata comprise one of the most picturesque corners of Italy, so be sure to bring your camera.
- The abbey is accessible to wheelchair users, but if your visit is part of a wine tour, wineries may not be. Check in advance.
How to Get There
The abbey is near Castelnuovo dell’Abate, 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) south of Montalcino. There is no public transportation directly to the abbey, so the most convenient way to visit is by joining a small-group or private tour that includes transportation.
When to Get There
The abbey is open for visits daily year-round. The Val d'Orcia is particularly beautiful in the late spring and early fall, when the countryside is lush and green.
Gregorian Chants
The Abbey of Sant'Antimo was once famous for the daily Mass sung in Gregorian chant by the resident Benedictines, but the monks have left the complex and now Mass is exclusively spoken.
Address: Località Sant’Antimo, Montalcino, Tuscany 53024, Italy
3 Tours and Activities to Experience Abbey of Sant'Antimo (Abbazia di Sant'Antimo)
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Small-Group Brunello di Montalcino Wine-Tasting Trip from Siena
Spend a day sipping one of Italy’s top wines, Brunello di Montalcino, on this day trip from Siena. Led by an expert guide, travel to the cellars to learn about the production process and meet the locals behind the delicious red wine. Then, pause at a family-run winery for an authentic Tuscan lunch before exploring the village of Montalcino and the abbey of Sant'Antimo. Stop for additional tastings along the way and conclude with transportation back to Siena. Group size is reserved to eight people for a more intimate experience.
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From
$173.35
From
$173.35
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Via Francigena 1 Day Walking Tour - Sant'antimo
For many people, this is the beginning of a spiritual roads; some souls, looking deep inside themselves, in a natural and peaceful setting, in the silence of the holy places, in the sharing with the other pilgrims.
Walking along those trails makes people feel part of a larger family; it creates a sense of belonging; since we are easy and informal, the pilgrimage turns into an experience in sharing and friendship.
It is a challenging experience as it requires continuous physical efforts. Walking 15 to 30 km for day for several days, gives people the possibility to test the capabilities and sometimes to go beyond.
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From
$117.60
Price varies by group size
From
$117.60
Price varies by group size
Private Tour: Montalcino Wine Tasting Experience
Sip some of Italy's best vino with a private full-day wine tour in Montalcino from Cortona. Visit two wineries to taste the famous Brunello wines produced in this part of Tuscany. Learn what makes Brunello so special from sommeliers and wine experts. Sample a selection of Tuscan meats and cheeses with the wine. Have lunch in a winery and visit either Montalcino or the Sant'Antimo Abbey before the end of the tour.
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From
$280.82
$53.50 savings
Price varies by group size
From
$280.82
$53.50 savings
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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