Does anyone know where this is?
 

http://www.global-journeys.com/Image...any%20link.JPG

Yes, absolutely. It's the abbey at San Antimo, in Tuscany. A "must do" if you're traveling there.

http://www.moveaboutitaly.com/toscan...antimo_it.html

Google San Antimo and enjoy. There's info at www.slowtrav.com about this site. The Gregorian chants are otherworldly.

no clue. But just seeing it on my screen was a blessing. Thanks.

Here's the esteemed Stu Dudley comment on San Antimo:

"Follow the signs (and your map) to Sant’ Antimo Abbey. The Abbey is quite lovely, but what I like best about it, is the setting – we’ve used up a lot of film there. It’s located in a valley surrounded by hills, cypress trees dancing up these hills, and a lawn around of the Abbey (where you can picnic). It’s also a good place for a little snooze in the sun. There are Gregorian chants inside the church at various times of the day (posted on the entrance to the church – one chant is at 12:45). See http://ww.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/sant_antimo.htm for a full chant schedule and a description of Sant Antimo."

Stu's driving itinerary of the area can be found at:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34652503

Thank you! As we're trying to decide where we will base ourselves, San Q, montepluciano or pienza, this should be visitable (is that a word?). The photo reminds me of the magic of Fountains Abbey in N. Yorkshire.

"Visitable" from any of your three potential bases.

I would like to take a nap on that beautiful grass. Do you think they have fire ants?

This is about 8-10 miles directly south of Montalcino.

Ani,

I visited Sant' Antimo on my last trip. It was beautiful in every way. I went to the early morning mass and there were only about 10 people there. Morning sun streamed through the windows and you could hear birds cooing in the roof. The chanting was lovely and perfect for the simple, unadorned setting. Kind of refreshing after all the elaborate churches most everywhere!

When mass was over, the abbey was open for "visiting hours" and the tour buses rolled in as I left!

It's 9 km from Montalcino.

Buon viaggio!

Sant' Antimo is an experience not to be missed. It's an amazing drive to get there, and amazing once you arrive, particularly if you can time it to hear the monks chant. Go!

If you are there on a Sunday, the mass is very worth going to.