Asciano

The Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey

Founded in 1313, the Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey is one of the best known and most visited sights in Italy. It is a group of buildings of medieval origin, remodelled in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, built on the ridge of a hill eroded by “calanchi”.
Among the many works of art here we recommend a look at the inlaid choir-stalls by Giovanni di Verona (1505) and the frescoes by Luca Signorelli (1497-98) and by Sodoma in the Greater Cloister. The abbey also houses the Sacred Art Museum in the Chapter Room.

The biggest cloister

The Pharmacy of the Convent is also interesting. This was in use until 1865. Its rich collection of pharmacy jars can be seen in the upper room of the monumental library and includes majolica from the 17th and 18th centuries, made in the kilns of San Quirico d’Orcia.