At 10 km south of Montalcino, the Abbey of Sant’Antimo has one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Tuscany, at the foot of the village of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, in the valley of the Starcia, a tributary of the river Orcia. Its foundation was according to the legend decided by the passage of Charlemagne, but it seems earlier. It was also a former Benedictine convent.
Description
Its Romanesque architecture mixes French and Lombard influences. The current building dates from the early 12th century, with the date of 1118 engraved on the high altar. The abbey was modified and enlarged several times. Of the old structure there remains the Carolingian chapel became the sacristy of the abbey church, and the remains of the chapter house. Some elements of the old cloister also remained.
The exterior of the church is in veined travertine from the nearby quarry of Castelnuovo dell’Abate.
The precious central portal dates from the ninth century, the bell tower is in Romanesque style and on the eastern wall particular bas-relief such as a winged bull with a female head, a Virgin and Child, etc.
The interior has three naves separated by large columns with decorated capitals: vegetal motifs, geometric, monsters, etc. One represents Daniel in the lions’ den which is attributed to the Master of Cabesthany. To the left of the apse a superb portal of the ninth century has various decorations.
Inside is a wooden statue of the Virgin and Child from the 13th century or a crucifix from the same period.
Where is Sant’Antimo
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Links and sources
- General informations: en.wikipedia.org
- Official website : www.antimo.it
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