Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore
Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore
4.5
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM - 5:45 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:45 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:45 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:45 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:45 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:45 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:45 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:45 PM
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4.5
1,001 reviews
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251
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40
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Terrible
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westy54
Sydney, Australia13,545 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
We visited this very large monastery on the recommendation of a friend. Unusually, even though you are out in the middle of the countryside with nothing else around, you were required to pay for parking.
The entrance to the complex is via a drawbridge through an entrance arch in a large red brick building that has a large quadrangular tower with crenulated walls around the top. It is believed that the monastery was founded in the early 14th century with a number of the other buildings and the church being completed over the next two to three centuries.
We then walked about 600/700 metres downhill, via the brick roadway that was lined with Cyprus trees (the path looked to be very slippery), past several other buildings on either side, a disused cistern (that was green) and several signs pointing to other chapels etc, past the pharmacy and the beautiful statue of St Catherine of Siena until we reached the church. We walked around it to find the entrance and had only been inside less than five minutes when a very rude layperson told us that we had to leave as prayers or a sermon etc was about to start. We could see no one else about but he was quite insistent ushering us to the door and then locking it once we had left.
What we did get to see in the short time we had inside were some spectacular paintings within a couple of the chapels which were definitely worth more of a look than we were afforded. We left very disappointed.
The entrance to the complex is via a drawbridge through an entrance arch in a large red brick building that has a large quadrangular tower with crenulated walls around the top. It is believed that the monastery was founded in the early 14th century with a number of the other buildings and the church being completed over the next two to three centuries.
We then walked about 600/700 metres downhill, via the brick roadway that was lined with Cyprus trees (the path looked to be very slippery), past several other buildings on either side, a disused cistern (that was green) and several signs pointing to other chapels etc, past the pharmacy and the beautiful statue of St Catherine of Siena until we reached the church. We walked around it to find the entrance and had only been inside less than five minutes when a very rude layperson told us that we had to leave as prayers or a sermon etc was about to start. We could see no one else about but he was quite insistent ushering us to the door and then locking it once we had left.
What we did get to see in the short time we had inside were some spectacular paintings within a couple of the chapels which were definitely worth more of a look than we were afforded. We left very disappointed.
Written 27 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mario M
Ferrara, Italy747 contributions
Aug 2024 • Solo
Abbey surrounded by woods, vineyards and olive groves. There are ample parking lots (for a fee!) where you can leave your car before taking the road to the abbey. Rent the audio guide (1€ more) to understand the cycle of frescoes in the cloister, on the life of St. Benedict. At the exit opportunity to taste the wines of the abbey (all for a fee.... I admit a little expensive).
Automatically translated
Written 14 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lotsagoldens
Surprise, AZ946 contributions
Jun 2022
I wish we had had more time to spend here. You can easily spend hours just looking at the frescoes that go all around the courtyard. The artist didn't only paint saints and madonnas; he painted vignettes of everyday life. Truly fascinating and beautiful. Everything here is beautifully preserved. You can go through the basillica (if you are lucky, the monks will be chanting), walk all over the grounds and see the historic buildings, see the priceless books in the huge library, and see the antique apothecary instruments. We even got to see the dining hall that the monks use now. There is also a winery and tasting room. Truly one of the best days of our trip!
Written 10 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alaricca
Florence, Italy188 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Splendid Benedictine abbey set in the magnificent context of the Val d'Orcia: inside it is possible to visit the cloister with the stories of Saint Benedict frescoed by Sodoma, the library, the refectory, the church and the cellar. The environments are severe but evocative and allow you to get a fairly precise idea of how a monastic complex founded on the Rule of Ora et labora could function.
Avoid the pharmacy that does not display ancient tools or containers, but sells over-the-counter products at a high price that can be found in any shop in the area at a lower price. If you don't want to leave empty-handed, I recommend a bottle of oil or wine sold in the cellar with the possibility of tasting
Avoid the pharmacy that does not display ancient tools or containers, but sells over-the-counter products at a high price that can be found in any shop in the area at a lower price. If you don't want to leave empty-handed, I recommend a bottle of oil or wine sold in the cellar with the possibility of tasting
Written 11 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tilvy21
7 contributions
Jun 2024 • Solo
A very beautiful place, the Abbey is immersed in the green hills of Siena, surrounded by olive groves, pines.
I had a dear family friend who was an Olivetan father and from an early age told me about his life waiting for vows there and then after being consecrated.
Being in Asciano, I could not help but go and visit it.
A friend accompanied me, the church with a Latin cross plan with a single nave, Inside you can admire various works of art including the large canvas of the main altar depicting the Nativity of Mary very beautiful.
The cloister deserves a lifetime where we can admire the 35 large frescoes commissioned by Abbot Domenico Airoldi of Lecco, depicting the life of St. Benedict according to the story of St. Gregory the Great, truly wonderful.
You can see the refectory passing by.
Worth a visit is the shop where the monks sell the products they make thanks to bees such as fantastic ointment for ingrown nails, extract splinters etc.
I have the liquor made with herbs great digestive, honey and much more.
I felt at home, welcomed by the joviality of the monks.
Definitely I will come back because I would like to be able to see what nn I managed.
And I honestly understood what the monk friend of the family told of his monastic life since I was little.
If you pass by, it really deserves a visit.
I look forward to returning, also for the peace and serenity that those places transmit.
I had a dear family friend who was an Olivetan father and from an early age told me about his life waiting for vows there and then after being consecrated.
Being in Asciano, I could not help but go and visit it.
A friend accompanied me, the church with a Latin cross plan with a single nave, Inside you can admire various works of art including the large canvas of the main altar depicting the Nativity of Mary very beautiful.
The cloister deserves a lifetime where we can admire the 35 large frescoes commissioned by Abbot Domenico Airoldi of Lecco, depicting the life of St. Benedict according to the story of St. Gregory the Great, truly wonderful.
You can see the refectory passing by.
Worth a visit is the shop where the monks sell the products they make thanks to bees such as fantastic ointment for ingrown nails, extract splinters etc.
I have the liquor made with herbs great digestive, honey and much more.
I felt at home, welcomed by the joviality of the monks.
Definitely I will come back because I would like to be able to see what nn I managed.
And I honestly understood what the monk friend of the family told of his monastic life since I was little.
If you pass by, it really deserves a visit.
I look forward to returning, also for the peace and serenity that those places transmit.
Automatically translated
Written 18 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
valter195217
Cuneo, Italy11,468 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
The Abbey of Monte Oliveto can be reached after crossing a drawbridge next to a large tower and following a path of tall cypress trees.
Along the way, there is a large tank that in the past served both for collecting rainwater and for breeding fish.
The construction of the Abbey began around the year 1400.
To see is the interior of the church with a beautiful inlaid wooden choir, the cloister whose walls are entirely frescoed with the stories of St. Benedict, the ancient library that contains the first printed and illuminated Bibles, the tools of the pharmacy and the cellars.
The Abbey is a place of wonderful peace and tranquility.
Along the way, there is a large tank that in the past served both for collecting rainwater and for breeding fish.
The construction of the Abbey began around the year 1400.
To see is the interior of the church with a beautiful inlaid wooden choir, the cloister whose walls are entirely frescoed with the stories of St. Benedict, the ancient library that contains the first printed and illuminated Bibles, the tools of the pharmacy and the cellars.
The Abbey is a place of wonderful peace and tranquility.
Automatically translated
Written 25 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sebastien M
Colmar, France432 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Discovered several years ago, we returned there for the beauty of the place. If you wish, you can attend one of the masses of the day in Gregorian chants. A moment full of emotions.
Not to be missed, if you go, is the visit to the cellar. The person who runs the shop is very pleasant, it is a real pleasure to talk with her about the wines and the estate.
I recommend
Not to be missed, if you go, is the visit to the cellar. The person who runs the shop is very pleasant, it is a real pleasure to talk with her about the wines and the estate.
I recommend
Written 13 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron S
New York City, NY5,928 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Great frescoes by Sodoma and Signorelli. Ask the nice lady at the ticket desk for the English brochure with the frescos description. Try not going there on Sunday as the locals go there for the Sunday mass and the traffic on the narrow and winding road is slow and annoying. Plus the small parking lot at the abbey's gates may be full.
Written 17 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken Smithmier
Nashville, TN78 contributions
Apr 2022
We were able to attend a Mass with Gregorian chants, which is a uniquely beautiful experience in and of itself. But this 700 year old abbey, located on the cliffs of the Cinta Senese, is remarkable for its sheer beauty. The signs to get there are a bit sparse which added to the adventure, so allow plenty of extra time, but it is soooo worth it. It is perfect to add as a side trip to Montalcino or even Pienza.
Written 24 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
francesco s
Siena, Italy359 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
Truly beautiful, the courtyard, the pharmacy, the refectory, the silence. until February 2nd visit the splendid nativity scene. Maybe if you stay there a little longer I would avoid parking at 1.50 hour for the free one at the beginning of the road.
Written 1 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a Sunday mass we can attend? If so what are the times?
Written 26 March 2022
Hi, may I ask what time in the morning you arrived? It says it opens at 9:15, but we will be by there closer to 8:00 AM and wanted to see if we could see any of the grounds before then Thanks
Written 6 September 2019
I don't believe so as you pay at the entrance which is quite a distance from the Abbey and church. You might want to email them and request early entry for the outside grounds as they may allow it if the gate area is manned.
Written 7 September 2019
Ho un Bovaro Bernese, buonissimo. Non so se si possa entrare con lui, certo non in chiesa, ma vorrei sapere se eventualmente c'è modo di lasciarlo in custodia durante la visita
Written 15 March 2019
Durante la mia visita nn ho visto animali e nn c è nessuno che possa accudirli da ciò che ho potuto osservare
Written 16 March 2019
What time and days does the chanting happen?
Written 12 July 2018
do they have a website or something that I can find out when they open?
Written 5 July 2018
i can't write the website of monteolivetomaggiore
but ...
OPENING HOURS
Standard Time:
09.15 morning – 12.00 Afternoon 15.15 to 17.00
Daylight Saving Time:
09.15 morning - 12.00 Afternoon 15.00 to 18.00
Sunday morning's closing at 12.30
The Abbey entrance is free.
The groups that have their guidance can move independently.
The number of the guide Abbey is:
Dino Benincasa 0577.718567 (meal)
For further information
cali directly to the Abbey at: 0577.707611
Visit the Nativity of the Abbey
The visit to the Crib is possible at the following times:
From Monday to Saturday morning: upon request
Saturday afternoon: always open
Sundays: always open except from 10:15 to 12:00 because of the Mass
Written 11 July 2018
Vorrei sapere la vasca esterna a cosa serviva..grazie
Written 25 April 2018
Is it possible to visit the monastery on Sundays, morning or afternoon?
Written 12 February 2018
Yes should be possible. Church might be closed for service if you arrive at a certain time.
Written 7 March 2018
Can you tell me what time of day and day of week you visited. We are planning a trip in September and your experience sounds great.
Written 3 February 2017
I believe our visit was on a Tuesday with Roberto. I remember the pickup was early morning, perhaps 8 or so? It was part of a full day of touring.
Written 7 February 2017
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