Badia a Passignano in Chianti

Badia a Passignano

Badia a Passignano in Chianti

The Abbazia (Abbey) of Badia a Passignano in Chianti, Italy.

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.

Abbey of Badia a Passignano
The Abbey of Badia a Passignano

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.