Badia A Cerreto – Monastic History, Art and Regional Destinations

Badia A Cerreto combines the history of a former abbey with preserved architectural features and a broad cultural setting. The Chiesa di San Pietro leads back into the history of the place, while works of art connected to Florence, historical traces along the Elsa, as well as museums, castles and mountains add to the regional context. If you would like to experience Italy beyond purely urban destinations, Badia A Cerreto combines ecclesiastical history with a range of subjects for cultural and landscape interests.

The Former San Pietro Abbey

The Chiesa di San Pietro in Badia a Cerreto is a former Camaldolese abbey. Its first hermitage was built between 1059 and 1072. In 1421, Pope Martin V united San Pietro with the Cistercian monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Florence. The abbey was finally dissolved in 1652. The history of San Pietro thus brings together the Camaldolese, the Cistercians and the church's ties to Florence.

The preserved building complex of Badia a Cerreto includes the Chiesa di San Pietro and a cloister with several brick pillars. The former monastic buildings are now used as private residences.

Art Between the Church and the Uffizi

Lorenzo Monaco's “Coronation of the Virgin” was kept in the church for more than three centuries and is now housed in the Uffizi. After the altarpiece was returned, the church received a painting by Francesco Soderini from 1726. It depicts the Virgin and Child between Saints Nun and Augustine. For visitors interested in culture, this creates a connection between the preserved church building, its former furnishings and the works of art now kept elsewhere.

Museums and Historical Destinations in the Surrounding Area

Several different destinations help provide cultural orientation in the area around Badia a Cerreto. The Museo Archeologico/Spezieria di Santa Fina is located in the surrounding area. The Torre Grossa is also located there and is one of the museums, as is the Torre del Diavolo, which is one of the castles. The Museo della Tortura e della Pena di Morte is also in the surrounding area. The region's range of topics therefore extends from archaeology and historical pharmacy through castles to the history of torture and the death penalty.

Mountains, Park and Historic Routes

Three mountains lie in the wider regional area around Badia a Cerreto: Monte Calvarino, Monte Maggio and Monte Vasone. The Parco Fluviale is also located in this wider regional area and is a park.

A probable medieval route along the left bank of the Elsa also led as far as Badia a Cerreto.

A Technical Topic in Gambassi

Twelve passenger and freight trains run simultaneously on a model railway layout in Gambassi. Alongside monastic history, art and landscapes, this adds a playful, technical topic.

More Destinations for Your Trip to Italy

If you would like to discover more places for planning your trip, you can find Camporbiano, Varna here.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Gambassi Terme.