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Vallombrosa:
the Abbey |
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The Abbey of Vallombrosa is located in the beautiful
Forest planted and
cultivated over the centuries by its monks and declared biogenetic natural
reserve in 1973.a c
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The visit to the abbey represents
a must for all the visitors of our territory !
The pleasant road leading to the abbey passes through the century-old
forest and ends up, sided by trees, in front of the fencing walls: inside,
the buildings look imposing, overlooked by the high church tower bell and
by an angular tower, resembling a castle.
To the left of the main gate is an artificial pond used to raise trout,
produce ice and feed a water sawmill downstream. Past the wrought iron
gate that dates 1773, is the severe facade of the 17th century by Gherardo
Silvani. Of the same age is also the facade of the church, with baroque
interiors, but with evident signs of its original medieval structure:
cross ground plant with a single nave, a jutting-out transept and a
semicircular apse surmounted by a small dome. There is also a big, modern,
organ (1819-1956).
Other parts of the abbey are well worth a visit: the refectory, the
kitchen with a huge fireplace, the cloisters and the antique library.
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 The
history
In 1008 Giovanni Gualberto, a noble from Florence who had just become
monk, left the monastery of San Miniato in Florence with a fellow. He
wanted to find a more remote place to meditate.
After meeting San Romualdo, founder of the hermitage of Camaldoli,
Giovanni Gualberto settled in a place denominated “Acquabona”, where the
first wooden cells for his fellows were built.
In 1015 the monks elected Giovanni Gualberto as their spiritual leader,
giving birth to a new religious congregation: the monks of Vallombrosa,
following the rule of S. Benedetto, based on the “ora et labora” precept
(“Ora et labora” are Latin words meaning “work and pray”).
The works to replace the original wooden structures began in 1036. Major
extension works took place in 1450: the new sacristy and cells for new
monks were added and, at the end of the 15th century, the abbey took on
the look it has nowadays.
In 1529, after the sack by the troops of king Charles V, an eastern tower
was built to protect the most precious items and books; a fencing wall and
an artificial pond to raise trout and produce ice were built in the 17th
century and at the end of the 18th century respectively.
The monastery, closed down during the Napoleonic age, was reopened in 1817
by the Grand Duke Ferdinando. In 1866, the newly constituted kingdom of
Italy evicted the monks and the abbey was administrated by the National
Forestry Administration. The Benedictines could return in 1949 only.
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Several important works of art
are housed in the abbey, whereas in the surrounding forest there are
chapels and tabernacles (dating
16th/17th century) commemorating episodes of the prodigious life of
Giovanni Gualberto.
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Opening hours:
Whinter 9,00-12,00/ 15,00-18,00;
Summer
6,00-12,00/ 15,00-19,00.
Info:
tel.
055/86.20.29.
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