Basilica of Our Lady of Assumption Vallombrosa, Italy

The Abbey of Vallombrosa traces its origins to 1036 when Saint John Gualberto, a Florentine nobleman, retreated with a small group of followers to a place then known as Acquabella sul Pratomagno. This marked the beginning of the Vallombrosan Order, which would become a significant part of the religious, civil, and social landscape of Italy. Saint John Gualberto’s monastic reform was based on a vision of evangelical poverty and community living. His efforts, including his stance against simony, led him to engage in the investiture dispute between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire, further highlighting the central role of the reform in the broader Church renewal. The first mention of Vallombrosa appears in documents referring to a donation by the cleric Alberto to the community, marking the establishment of the first wooden oratory. In 1039, Abbess Itta of the Monastery of Sant’Ellero donated land to the growing community. The bishop of Paderborn consecrated the altar of the oratory in 1038, making it the earliest structure of stone within the abbey complex. By 1058, the entire stone church was consecrated by Cardinal Umberto di Silva Candida, signaling the early growth and formal establishment of the abbey.

As the Vallombrosan community grew, it became necessary to expand the abbey. In 1224, work began on a larger church, which was completed by 1230. The bell tower, built during this time, is still part of the abbey today. In the 15th century, under the leadership of Abbot Francesco Altoviti, major works were undertaken, including the creation of a large cloister, sacristy, tower, refectory, and kitchen, all of which were completed by 1476. Abbot Biagio Milanesi, who succeeded Altoviti, was a prominent figure who contributed to the abbey’s intellectual and artistic legacy. Milanesi’s contributions included commissioning a library and artworks such as an altarpiece by Perugino, and works by Raffaellino del Garbo, Luca della Robbia, and others. Further architectural advancements took place in the 16th century, including the Cloister of the Mascherone designed by Alfonso Parigi between 1584 and 1585. The abbey underwent another transformation in the 17th century, with renovations such as the rebuilding of the novitiate under the guidance of architect Gherardo Silvani. In 1644, following the collapse of the church portico, Abbot Guglielmo Rasi designed the loggia that remains in place today. The church was also modernized in the early 18th century, with new altars, plastered walls, and frescoes celebrating the saints of the order, painted by artists like Antonio Puglieschi and Niccolò Lapi.

In 1808, the Napoleonic suppression led to the dissolution of many monasteries, including Vallombrosa. During the Savoy era in 1867, the abbey became state-owned, leading to a decline in the abbey’s religious activities. However, in 1949, the Vallombrosan Order regained control of the abbey.

The Abbey of Vallombrosa is also historically significant for its connection to Pope Urban II, who visited the abbey on 7 October 1096 and urged the Vallombrosans to support the First Crusade. Additionally, the Abbey is famously associated with John Milton, who, although unlikely to have visited, is believed to have been inspired by the abbey in his Paradise Lost, leading to its connection with other famous literary figures, including William Wordsworth, Frances Trollope, and Mary Shelley. The 19th century also brought George Perkins Marsh, an American ecologist, whose influence helped establish the Istituto Superiore Forestale Nazionale in the secularized monastery in 1867. Today, the abbey remains a cultural and tourist landmark, renowned for its historical significance and its artistic heritage, including works by Perugino, Raffaellino del Garbo, and Luca della Robbia, alongside local attractions like the Antica Farmacia, offering herbal teas and traditional liqueurs made using ancient recipes.