Abbeys monasteries and convents Italy

The monastery of Saint-François was the main religious complex of medieval Bergamo. Built between the th and th centuries, two beautiful cloisters are still visible today: the first says delle ark, because it retains a dozen funeral monuments intended to accommodate tombs of the main families of the city; from the second "well", you have a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. The ensemble today hosts the historic Museum of the city.

This ancient abbey is worth a visit, both for its architecture and for its wine. Located at 600 m above sea level, on the line separating the Chianti from Valdarno, the abbey is dedicated to San Lorenzo di Coltibuono. It was built in 1049 by Firidolfi, according to a Latin cross plan. It is one of the happiest Romanesque achievement in Chianti.

The very good wine is on sale in the Tenuta di Coltibuono, near the abbey. For sale and tasting, the excellent local grappa. For the visit of the old cellars housed in the old cloister wing, call (0577) 74 94 98 or 74 93 00. All farm products (wine, grappa, honey, olives, holy wine) are also available for sale.

Located behind the cathedral, the church preserves important frescoes by Correggio (1520), including the Apparition of Christ to St. John in the dome: while Christ appears in the centre lit by divine light, St. John is represented on the edge of the skullcap. In the left nave, some works of Parmesan cheese. The monastery has three beautiful cloisters from the 16th century. Behind the church is the old pharmacy of San Giovanni, which was in use from the 13th century to 1766.