The Abbey in the forest

(every Friday)

The Vallombrosa forest is a great attraction for its natural environment, but the most unique impressive aspect is the presence of historical and architectural evidence of the Vallombrosiani Monk's community. This community had lived in these woods for centuries. Still, it is easy to find incredible traces of their stay. The tour will feature a visit of the Vallombrosa Abbey, an adventure to discover the so-called Saints' Chapels, and a lunch in the Pensione Medici.

• 10:00 am - 11:30 am Meeting at the Bar Pensione Medici in front of the Abbey of Vallombrosa. Then, the tour will start with a visit of the Abbey of Vallombrosa, located in a dense forest of oak, pine, beech and chestnut.
• 11:30 am - 1:00 pm After having visited the Abbey, the guide will escort participants towards the Noviziato, along a path that was built by the monks of the Vallombrosa Order. Guided visit of the botanical garden.
• 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm The itinerary now features a lunch in the Pensione Medici, a building dated back in the late 1800, beginning 1900.
• 2:30 pm 4:00 pm The itinerary will follow tracing the Chapels of the Saints. Participants will follow a path made of stones carefully prepared by the monks. This path was built to easily reach the Chapels.
  

Picture by Sandro Santioli