This peaceful facade of Abbazia di San Bartolomeo a Ripoli hides a turbulent past. Founded in 790, the Abbazia di San Bartolomeo a Ripoli wasn’t always a place of peace and tranquility. It started as a Benedictine monastery, housing monks who dedicated their lives to prayer and scholarship. But the arrival of the Vallombrosan order in 1187 changed the abbey’s trajectory. These monks, known for their dedication to manual labor, transformed the surrounding floodplains into fertile fields, leaving a lasting legacy on the landscape. The Abbazia di San Bartolomeo a Ripoli’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. During the siege of Florence in 1529, the abbey faced the wrath of war, suffering severe damage at the hands of foreign troops. The once-grand structure lay abandoned, its future uncertain. However, like a phoenix from the ashes, the Abbazia di San Bartolomeo a Ripoli rose again. It became the headquarters of the Vallombrosan order and underwent extensive renovations. The renovations blended architectural styles, leaving behind a fascinating tapestry of Romanesque and Renaissance elements. Today, the Abbazia di San Bartolomeo a Ripoli stands as a testament to resilience and adaptation, a silent witness to centuries of history unfolding within its walls.
Santa Lucia alla Castellina
“A sanctuary of art and faith””. You might say that about many places, but here at Santa Lucia alla Castellina,