Abbadia San Salvatore

Hello Abbadia San Salvatore!

Hello everyone! Today we will talk about Abbadia San Salvatore, a small town in Tuscany, Italy. With only 6006 inhabitants, this peaceful provincial town is located on the slopes of Monte Amiata on the Sienese side. Abbadia San Salvatore is an ideal destination for nature and history lovers. Let's discover its beauties together!

So, where is it located?

Abbadia San Salvatore is located in the heart of the province of Siena, surrounded by the beautiful nature of Monte Amiata. Thanks to its proximity to the mountain, the climate can be quite cold during winter, but mild enough in summer.

Abbadia San Salvatore: history and nature on Mount Amiata.

A bit of history

The city's name comes from the Abbey of San Salvatore, which was founded in 743. This very important abbey had the power to control a vast territory that extended across the slopes of Amiata. However, its history was characterized by ups and downs and the fertility of its lands was contested, even with the powerful Aldobrandeschi family of Santa Fiora. Despite everything, the abbey survived until its suppression in 1782.

What is the territory like?

The territory of Abbadia San Salvatore is dominated by Monte Amiata, a mountain that offers an excellent view of the province of Siena, Lazio, and Tuscany in general. This privileged location makes Abbadia San Salvatore an ideal destination for nature lovers.

Origins

According to legend, the decision to build the abbey was made by the Lombard Sovereign Rachis following a miraculous event, where the Trinity appeared to him on the top of a tree. In reality, the king's intentions were political: he wanted to protect traffic along the Via Francigena and promote agricultural development in the area. The control of the Amiatine territories, which included the pastures of the mountain down to the Paglia valley, was assigned to the monastery.

The territorial power of the abbey

The territorial power of the abbey grew from century to century, expanding towards Lazio, Val d'Orcia, Val di Chiana, and even the Province of Viterbo. Before the Hohenstaufen family, the abbey, the village, and the lands of San Salvatore remained closely linked to the authority of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

Conclusions

In summary, Abbadia San Salvatore is a city of great historical and artistic value, immersed in the nature of Monte Amiata. Discovering its beauties is not difficult: just take the time to explore the city and its surroundings calmly. The legend of the Abbey of San Salvatore is just a small taste of what this city can offer. So, what are you waiting for? Come discover Abbadia San Salvatore!

Elisa Lombardi
Updated Thursday, Oct 6, 2022