Trip to Monte Oliveto Maggiore
The Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore, literally Abbey of the “Greater Mountain of Olive Groves”, is a jewel.
The 14th century Benedictine monastery, surrounded pine and cypress trees, does indeed sit below slopes of olive groves. It is a beautiful building, both from afar and close to. The tour of the richly decorated church, with its beautiful wooden choir stalls, is particularly impressive. The inlayed woodwork is some of the most elaborate and important in Italy.
The highlight of the tour, however, is the great cloister. This is decorated on all four sides with a series of frescoes by Luca Signorelli and Giovanni Antonio Bazzi, called Sodoma. The 36 scenes depict the life of St. Benedict and are considered some of the most exceptional frescoes of the Renaissance.
Tip: On the way back to Siena stop at the Truffle Museum of San Giovanni d'Asso
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Informations
| Meeting Point: | Monte Oliveto Maggiore |
| Duration: | half day |
| Distance: | ca. 40 km south of Siena, by own car |
| Preis: | 165 € per group |