Castelnuovo Dell'abate: Village History and Sant’Antimo

Castelnuovo dell’Abate is a medieval village in a commanding position above the Val d’Orcia and the Abbey of Sant’Antimo. It was founded as a military outpost to protect the abbey. This foundation gives the relationship between the village and the monastery a concrete historical context. From the hill, the view stretches towards the banks of the Orcia; woods and vineyards surround the village. This gives your trip a clear focus: village history and rural landscape go hand in hand here. If you’d like to explore a historically rich place in the hills of Tuscany, alongside its cities of art, Castelnuovo dell’Abate offers a distinctive experience.

Between the Hills, the Orcia and the Starcia

The Abbey of Sant’Antimo is near the village, in the valley of the Starcia stream; the Starcia is a tributary of the Orcia. The distance from Montalcino to the abbey is 9 kilometres. This means the landscape can be understood not only in relation to the Orcia: the Starcia valley is the more precise geographical reference for the abbey, while the village stands above it in a commanding position. The village, stream and larger river are distinct points of reference in this landscape.

Sant’Antimo: Guided Tour and a Break

The “La Via della Luce” guided tour, with a video guide, takes you through the Carolingian Chapel, the crypt, the upper loggia, the monastery pharmacy and the San Benedetto garden. The tour connects several sites within the abbey and provides a specific cultural focus for your visit. Reservations are requested for the tour.

At Giardino Santa Ildegarda, visitors encounter medicinal herbs grouped according to the illnesses they are used to treat. This arrangement gives the garden its own thematic focus. Wooden tables and benches are available in the Area Pic Nic, opposite the abbey church. You can eat a packed lunch there or take a break after visiting the abbey.

Music as a Reason to Visit

The abbey organizes Gregorian chant courses for individuals and groups. They include an overnight stay at the monastic guesthouse in Castelnuovo dell’Abate and are led by nationally renowned teachers. The annual calendar also features concerts of sacred and classical music, with professional artists and orchestras. This brings together two distinct musical formats: courses for individuals and groups, and concerts in the abbey’s programme.

A Sight in the Borgo and Cycling in the Val d’Orcia

The Pieve dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo is a point of interest in the borgo. For cycling enthusiasts, Orso on Bike promotes cycling tourism on the white gravel roads and surrounding trails in the Val d’Orcia. These offer different perspectives for planning your trip: the Pieve is a specific place to visit in the borgo, while the cycling experience follows the gravel roads and trails of the Val d’Orcia.

Discover more destinations: Lama, Sant'angelo In Colle, Torrenieri.

For the broader travel overview: Montalcino.