The Abbey of San Piero in Campo, now the Church of Ascensione di Gesù, is located in the town of the same name in the southern province of Siena and is part of the Diocese of Siena.
Its origins date back to 1031, when it was built on the right bank of the Orcia River under the patronage of the Counts of Sarteano. Over the centuries, it changed hands between the Benedictine and Camaldolese orders and, over time, the ancient complex fell into ruin, leaving only a few remains today.
Things to see
- Exterior: There are several decorated panels and a 12th-century semicircular apse with corbel arches separated by half-columns.
- Interior: The original entrance has been closed and replaced with a side entrance; two of the three original grand arches have been filled in to create living spaces, which cannot currently be visited.
- Walking around the walls, you can sense the mystical atmosphere that characterised the place in centuries past.
Interesting Facts
- The Camaldolese monks entrusted the abbey to the protection of the Republic of Siena in 1231, to escape the Manenti Counts and the rights of the bishops of Chiusi.
- In 1243, they attempted to appeal to the municipality of Montepulciano, under Florentine control.
- In 1324, the Abbey and the Hermitage of Vivo were annexed to the Monastery of La Rosa in Siena and later to that of Santa Mustiola.
- Today, the original silence and solitude no longer exist, but if you close your eyes, you can imagine the spiritual atmosphere of the past.
Useful Information 
