Abbadia
Welcome to Abbadia San Salvatore!
Hello everyone! Today we will talk about Abbadia San Salvatore, a wonderful town located in the province of Siena, in Tuscany. With its 6,006 inhabitants, it offers a unique experience thanks to its location on the Sienese side of Mount Amiata.
Physical Geography
Territory
As we just mentioned, Abbadia San Salvatore is located on Mount Amiata, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding hills.
Climate
The climate of this city is characterized by very cold winters and fairly mild summers. During winter, temperatures often drop below freezing and the cold winds that blow in the geographic area increase the sensation of cold. Summers, on the other hand, are cooled by the influence of the mountain.
Origin of the Name
The name of the town derives from the abbey of the Order of Saint Benedict, founded in 743 by the Lombard sovereigns Rachis. Although only the Church and the crypt remain, its incredible architecture and history can still be visited today.
History
The history of Abbadia San Salvatore is particularly linked to the monastery, first as the Order of Saint Benedict and then as the Cistercian Order. The latter exercised great power in extensive territories located on the eastern and western slopes of Amiata. Because of numerous clashes with the powerful Aldobrandeschi di Santa Fiora and the Orsini families, the abbey had many difficulties. Finally, it was suppressed in 1782.
Lombard Foundation and Expansion during the Middle Ages
According to legendary tradition, the decision to found the monastery was made by the Lombard sovereign Rachis following a miraculous event of which he himself was a witness, when the Trinity appeared on the top of a tree. The construction of the monastery was part of a political plan of Rachis, which aimed to protect and control traffic along the Via Francigena and to develop the agriculture of Lombard Tuscia. The territorial power of the abbey grew in the following centuries and the nearby village was soon fortified and equipped with a defensive city wall.
In the 10th century, its possessions expanded towards Lazio, Val d'Orcia, Val di Chiana and even in the province of Viterbo. This period of prosperity lasted until the Hohenstaufen dynasty, but civil, criminal and religious autonomy remained unchanged.
Abbadia San Salvatore was also one of the first Italian cities to be equipped with electricity, thanks to the presence of a power plant that was inaugurated in 1920.
Conclusion
In summary, Abbadia San Salvatore is an important historical and tourist destination, perfect for those who want to discover the beauties of Tuscany in an alternative way to classic destinations like Florence and Siena. If you decide to visit, you can admire the majestic panorama of Mount Amiata, the incredible architecture of the monastery and move to the splendid Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana. We are sure that you will be fascinated by its particular historical, cultural, and natural peculiarities.
