Where is the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, historical origins and what to see, with indication of the most significant decorative details.
Tourist information
In the geographical area of Chianti, among the typical hills of Tuscany, there is the ancient Abbey Monastery of San Michele Arcangelo in Passignano.
The monastery of the Vallombrosana Congregation, known as the abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, is located within the municipality of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, in the Passignano hamlet in the province of Florence.
Founded by Giovanni Gualberto in the year 1000, the monastery was subsequently destroyed and rebuilt several times, up to the present appearance which makes it resemble a castle.
What see
Surrounded by a fifteenth-century city wall, the abbey has a square plan, with towers at the four corners and neo-Gothic architectural details added in the following era, when the transformation into a villa took place for a certain period, after which the property returned to the friars of Vallombrosa .
The church, with a Latin cross plan, preserves frescoes by Passignano and Allori.
The external facade is characterized by having a portal surmounted by a lunette decorated with a fresco by Filadelfo Simi, which depicts the Madonna and Child with two Angels, while above it is the coat of arms carved on the stone of the Vallombrosan monks.
