How to visit Sant'Antimo Abbey? With Castello Banfi you will find all information on prices and how to get there, as well as photos of the monument.
Sant'Antimo Abbey: useful info and how to get there
Located in the heart of Tuscany, surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see, the Abbey of Sant'Antimo, an architectural gem nestled in the peaceful countryside of Montalcino, is just a few kilometers from the Castello Banfi Wine Resort. This ancient Benedictine abbey, dating back to the 12th century, is a sublime example of elegance and spirituality, a living testimony to a glorious past that still attracts numerous tourists, both faithful and non-faithful, to this day.
The Abbey of Sant'Antimo is much more than just a tourist attraction: it is a sanctuary of peace and reflection, a place where history blends with spirituality. Every stone, every fresco, every sculpture has a story to tell and a message to convey. That is why photos and images of the Abbey of Sant'Antimo are not enough to convey the atmosphere that reigns there, but they can stimulate the curiosity of tourists visiting this area of Tuscany.
The origins
The origins of the Abbey of Sant'Antimo in Montalcino date back to Carlo Magno, who, according to tradition, had a rectangular chapel with an apse built in 781, called the Carolingian Chapel , which is now used as a sacristy.
Sant'Antimo Abbey: the exterior
The traveller approaching the abbey from the nearby Castello Banfi Wine Resort is immediately struck by its mass and the height of the bell tower, which rises majestically among the hills. As he approaches, he is greeted by a romantic façade that reveals an austere and ancient beauty: the pure, sober lines, elegant arches and windows adorned with intricate details evoke a feeling of grace and harmony.
Sant'Antimo Abbey: the interior
Once inside, after passing through the portal with its sculpted architrave, one is greeted by an atmosphere of calm and contemplation. Natural light filters through the stained glass windows, decorating the stone floor with shades of light and shadow and providing some of the most beautiful images of Sant'Antimo Abbey in Montalcino.
The presbytery, dominated by the high altar, is a masterpiece of art and devotion, on which a medieval crucifix stands out, while the crypt houses the tomb of St Antimo with his relics.
The Sant'Antimo Abbey complex
Next to the abbey is the Cloister, an enchanting corner of paradise where all the buildings belonging to the abbey once stood, with a quadrangular porticoed courtyard where you can stroll in the shade and enjoy the peace and quiet of the place, and the Ospitalia, the guesthouse that still hosts small groups dedicated to prayer and spiritual retreat.
More lively and bustling with life is the Monastic Pharmacy, located in the ancient Treasure Room, which offers the opportunity to see first-hand the results of the Benedictine rule of “Ora et labora” (pray and work).
The pharmacysells numerous body care products made from medicinal herbs grown near the abbey, the fruit of the monks' ancient wisdom, and products of the land, such as honey, herbal teas, candies, and fruit jams. The Abbey of Sant'Antimo's craft beers , prepared according to a secret recipe, and Sant'Antimo's amaro, made from Erba Carlina, used to soothe the suffering of Charlemagne's soldiers visiting the Abbey, are also renowned throughout the area.
The Benedictine complex also includes the Oliveta, a rich and lush area of the monastery dedicated to the cultivation of olive trees, from which extra virgin olive oil of the highest quality is produced, the Apiary for the production of artisanal honey, and the Garden of Saint Hildegard , where you can admire the medicinal plants used to treat the sick.
Sant'Antimo Abbey: opening hours
The Abbey of Sant'Antimo in Montalcino has the following opening hours for the public:
1 November - 31 March: daily from 10.30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
1 April - 30 September: daily 10 a.m. - 6.30 p.m.
1 October - 31 October: daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Please note that on Sundays and public holidays , Holy Mass is celebrated at 10:00 a.m., and entry is only permitted after the service has ended
Where to sleep if you want to visit Sant'Antimo Abbey in Montalcino
To visit the Abbey of Sant'Antimo in peace, staying at theHotel Il Borgo il Castello Banfi Wine Resort is the best choice. The hotel, also nestled in an oasis of peace among green hills covered with vineyards and olive groves, is an excellent starting point for visiting the abbey in the morning after a hearty breakfast, as it is only a few kilometers away from this renowned tourist destination. Even the road separating the resort from the abbey, which is easy to drive on, with no dangerous hairpin bends or heavy traffic, is an attraction in its own right, an enchanting route leading to an even more enchanting destination.
Sant'Antimo Abbey: how to get there
Starting from Castello Banfi Wine Resort , you can reach the Abbey of Sant'Antimo via two routes:
1. Once you leave the resort, simplyhead to Poggio alle Mura and take the Strada Provinciale “La Maremma”/SP117 and then the SP114 for about 14 km, winding through the beautiful Tuscan countryside, among immense expanses of lush vineyards and old farmhouses, or in the shade of lush wild vegetation. In less than half an hour, you will reach the Abbey of Sant'Antimo from the south and its convenient parking lot.
2. Alternatively, you can reach the Abbey of Sant'Antimo from the north, passing through Montalcino. After leaving Castello Banfi Wine Resort, take the Strada Provinciale “La Maremma”/SP117, this time in the direction of Montalcino. Once you arrive at the village, take the Strada Provinciale della Badia di Sant'Antimo, which will take you to your destination after about 10 km.
