TAVARNELLE VAL DI PESA, FLORENCE, TUSCANY, ITALY
BADIA A PASSIGNANO
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TAVARNELLE VAL DI PESA, FLORENCE, TUSCANY, ITALYBADIA A PASSIGNANO |
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| These are the roads to follow for reach the Badia a Passignano: from Florence take the SGC Firenze-Siena (this road start from A1 highway exit Firenze Certosa) direction Siena, exit Tavarnelle Val di Pesa (at this exit it's a good place that can be used as base for visiting the area, the Park Hotel Chianti) after this exit turn right, after about 100 mt. you must turn right passed the Pesa bridge, direction Sambuca then after a few kilometres, when you are approaching Sambuca turn on the left direction Badia a Passignano another 2 km and you'll see the beautiful Badia a Passignano. | ||
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| This Abbey of the Benedictine order of Vallombrosa was founded in 1049 by S. Giovanni Gualberto, it has the form of a quadrangular fortified monastic complex with corner towers. Towards the middle of the 15 century the convent was augmented by the addition of cloisters and a wall. The church boasts paintings by Domenico Cresti (called "Il Passignano" because he had been born here around 1559). | ||
In October 1810, the Vallombrosa Congregation was dissolved and the Abbey of Passignano closed. In December 1825, the Community was established again but in 1866, due to a new abolition of all religious orders, the Italian royal government seized the entire property of the Abbey including the monastery, leaving a little part only to the monks who kept the custody of the church and the parish church. In October 1870, the Abbey of Passignano and its property was auctioned off by the Government, which did not know how to use it. October 1986 marks a new historical date for the Abbey of Passignano, on that date, the Benedictine monks of the Vallombrosa Congregation, took newly possession of the Abbey. |
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The main structures of Badia a Passignano open onto the courtyard, which is reached by passing along an avenue of cypresses. Among these is the Church of Saint Michael Archangel, which probably dates back to the 13 century. The church possesses a unique nave in the form of a latin cross. It was reconstructed in the second half of the 16 century and then once again at the start of the 18 century and in the middle of the 19 century. The entrance doorway to the monastery is located in front of the church. The monastery is occupied by a tiny community of vallombrosan monks, and may be visited upon request Sunday afternoons when a guide is made available. From the main doorway, one enters a small square characterised by two towers. The stone entrance dates from the 15 century. The refectory, the kitchen and the chapter's room, which opens onto the cloister, may be visited. Outside the walls of the complex is the little village of Borgo di Passignano with a 12 century tower house and the church of San Biagio. |
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WHERE TO STAY IN TAVARNELLE VAL DI PESA:SEARCH for HOTELS and ACCOMMODATIONS IN TAVARNELLE VAL DI PESA (with guest reviews) |
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WHAT TO SEE IN THE AREA:Tavarnelle Val di Pesa. San Donato (medieval village). Barberino Val d'Elsa (medieval village). Tignano (small medieval village/castle). Petrognano (medieval village, situated where was the town of Semifonte, destroyed by Florence in 1202) and the chapel of San Michele (chapel that is a faithful reprodution in 1:8 scale of the dome of the Cathedral of Florence). Sant'Appiano (romanesque church). Linari (medieval village). The ruins of the castle of Cepparello. Badia a Passignano. Certaldo. San Gimignano. |
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