Abbey of Monteveglio

Entering the village of Monteveglio, in the municipality of Valsamoggia, you will find the Abbey of Monteveglio. Its history is closely linked to Matilda of Tuscany. This territory had long been contested between the empire and the papacy, and when the Countess, who had always supported the papacy, defeated Henry IV, she ordered the Abbey to be constructed in the 11th century as a symbol of gratitude for her victory. This place was initially assigned to the Canons Regular of San Frediano in Lucca, an Augustinian congregation that remained in the Abbey for over 300 years. In 1455 the Canons of San Frediano were replaced by the Canons Regular of the Lateran, who remained there until the 18th century, marked by the arrival of Napoleon in Italy. The Abbey is currently home to the Community of the Brothers of St. Francis.

The church has three naves, a crypt, and two cloisters: the main one from the 15th century, and a smaller, Romanesque one of which the loggia remains.