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The Badia a Passignano is located on
the road running from Greve in Chianti through
Montefioralle
towards San Donato and Sambuca, and in fact was
probably built there because of the importance of this route in
mediaeval times. The Abbey is extremely photogenic from almost any
angle with its walls and towers emerging from the dense cypress
forest that surrounds it. Badia a Passignano was founded in 1049 as a consequence of the
Vallombrosan monastic
reforms and consists of a more or less square fortified monastic complex with corner towers. Towards the middle of the 15 C, the
Abbey was augmented by the addition of cloisters and a wall. The
vineyards surrounding the Badia a Passignano were bought by
Antinori, one of the big names in Chianti
Classico wine production, in 1987
and Antinori have leased the Abbey cellars for use in aging their
wines. La Bottega and L'Osteria are an Antinori wine outlet and
restaurant respectively and are located very near the gate of the
Badia a Passignano. It is possible to visit Badia a Passignano
at 3 pm
on the last Sunday of the month if a monk is available to act as
guide. However, phone the abbey to check this timing.
Worth a visit. More about Abbey
of Passignano. |
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