Monte Oliveto Maggiore and the Enchanting Village of Chiusure

The approval for the building of the Monastery came with the “Charta fundationis” by the Bishop of Arezzo; the construction began in 1320 and was completed in 1526, although the buildings were modified during the Renaissance and the Baroque period. A square tower with a drawbridge was erected at the entrance of the Abbey to protect the entire complex from possible attacks; the courtyard opens onto a wide avenue of cypresses leading to the impressively austere late-gothic Church (1399-1417). Monte Oliveto Maggiore has three cloisters, a chapter house, a refectory and a big library, it is the seat of the Abbot general of the Congregation of the same name and preserves frescoes of great interest; the monks still produce herbal healing potions, tasty liqueurs and ceramics, however, most people are attracted by their famous Gregorian chants.