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Abbazia di Sant'Antimo Review

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Abbazia di Sant'Antimo

Address: Località , Sant'Antimo, Castelnuovo dell'Abate
Phone: 0577/835659
www.antimo.it

Category: Religious Sites
Location: Abbazia di Sant'Antimo

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 3.8/5

Fodor's Review:

It's well worth your while to visit this 12th-century Romanesque abbey, as it's a gem of pale stone in the silvery green of an olive grove. The exterior and interior sculpture is outstanding, particularly the nave capitals, a combination of French, Lombard, and even Spanish influences. The sacristy (seldom open) forms part of the primitive Carolingian church (founded in AD 781), its entrance flanked by 9th-century pilasters. The small vaulted crypt dates from the same period. Above the nave runs a matroneum (women's gallery), an unusual feature once used to separate the congregation. Equally unusual is the ambulatory, for which the three radiating chapels were almost certainly copied from a French model. Stay to hear the canonical hours celebrated in Gregorian chant. On the drive that leads up toward Castelnuovo dell'Abate is a small shop that sells souvenirs and has washrooms. A 2½-hour hiking trail (signed as #2) leads to the abbey from Montalcino. Starting near Montalcino's small cemetery, the trail heads south through woods, along a ridge road to the tiny hamlet of Villa a Tolli, and then downhill to Sant'Antimo.

Cost: Free
Open: Daily 6AM-9PM

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by rhondaK from texas on 3/19/07
The church certainly takes your breath away. However,while in the church listening to the monks chant our car was broken into and our backpack was stolen. In looking around where cars were parked there was lots of glass broken along the road so someone locally is doing this. So, put all your belongings in the trunk.