Yes, it is beatufully located. Yes, great frescos. And crowds of visitors. And shops. Looks like a tourism factory, not a place of prayer. For me the nicest place was the monastery cellar with entertaining shop attendant inviting to taste the very good local wine. More

It was absolutely amazing to visit a real working abbey with white monks dressed in their habits walking around going about their daily business! Unfortunately we didn't get to enter the monastery as it was closed when we visited but we did have a good walk around the outside. Current opening hours are 9.15am - 12 noon and 3.15pm -... More

We are so glad that we included a visit to this abbey. The B&B we stayed at, Castello delle Serre recommended that we go here, otherwise we would not have known about it. Even a beautiful drive on the way. More

This is a large monastery beautifully situated in the Tuscan countryside between Asciano and Buonconvento. The resident monks support themselves by restoring antiquarian books, largely for the Vatican library. In addition to its overall architectural charms, the principal highlight is the magnificent cloister, which is entirely surrounded by frescoes depicting the life of St Benedict. These were begun by the... More

Southeast of Siena in the Crete Senese. Beautiful Abbe with a wine cellar with free tastings. Magnificent frescoes by Sodoma and Lucca Signorelli line the hallways of the abbey. The setting of the abbey,perched on a hill, is surrounded by trees. It is a tranquil spot filled with beauty and the walk from the parking lot is through the trees,... More

I was enchanted by the choirs and the atmosphere.You can breath spiritual faith and even for non-believers it should be a special experience. It could be boring for children, though. More

If you have read the book "The name of the rose"and have made a mental picture of the abbey featuring in the book, then you have probably imagined the Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore in the Crete Senese. The 36 paintings of the live of Saint Bendictus forms possibly the first stripalbum albeit that its painting is a great work... More

The position of the abbey, on top of a hill, surrounded by trees, makes for a beautiful and peaceful place. The walk from the parking lot is amid the trees (and somewhat steep on the return), with an occasional peek of beautiful views. Access to interiors is limited to the English Church and the wine cellar and is further limited... More

Be sure to visit this monastery southeast of Siena if possible. Gorgeous place, with a wine cellar where free tastings are offered. Magnificent frescoes line the hallways of the abbey. Chiusi and other mountain towns in the nearby area offer lovely views and some nice little restaurants. Peinza is also worth visiting. More