The Abbey of Monteverdi

This short hike is really suitable for everyone and will take you along a path through the vegetation with amazing scenic views and allow you to discover one of the most interesting cultural and scenic sites, the Abbazia di San Pietro in Palazzolo. The imposing ruins of the abbey are still visible today and are all that remain of the original core founded by the Longobard Walfredo (the most likely founder of the Della Gherardesca family) in 754.
The original site of the monastery dedicated to St Peter, however, is not the one now occupied by the Poggi della Badia, as the abbey, one of the oldest and most important abbeys of medieval Tuscany, was moved here at the end of the 12th century.
The first “version” of the abbey was built about 1 km South of Monteverdi on the site previously occupied by a Roman villa and a Longobard noble settlement (Palatiolum, from which comes the name “in Palazzuolo”). Ever since the founding the monastery had considerable assets in the territories of Populonia, Volterra, Pisa, Lucca and even in Corsica. Subsequently (8th-11th centuries), its possessions expanded and finally peaked in the 11th and 12th centuries, when the monastery’s full jurisdictional power spread over a large area. Ever since its early days (780) the abbey was exposed to Saracen raids and later on it was exposed to harassment and looting by neighbouring lords. For this reason, at the end of the 12th century, the monastery was moved to its present, easier to defend, location. In the first half of the 13th century, however, its decline began: attacked and destroyed by Pannocchieschi di Castiglion Bernardi (1252), in 1298 the abbey was, by papal decree, joined with the abbey of Vallombrosa. After having been severely damaged in 1360 by Pisan soldiers, the abbey of S. Pietro was definitively abandoned in 1561 when the monks moved to the castle of Monteverdi. The imposing, stout remains that can be seen today on the Poggi della Badia are a testimony and description of the defensive and security needs of the former monastery.

Hiking difficulty scale

T - Tourist

Itineraries on small roads, mule tracks or easy paths, with clearly evident routes that do not pose uncertainties or problems of orientation. They generally take place below 2000 m and usually constitute access to mountain pastures or refuges. They require some knowledge of the mountain environment and physical preparation for walking.

E - Hiking

Routes that almost always turn on paths, or on traces of passage in various terrain (pastures, debris, stony ground), usually with signs. They require a certain sense of orientation, as well as a certain experience and knowledge of the mountainous territory, walking training, as well as appropriate footwear and equipment. Normally the difference in altitude is between 500 and 1000m.

EE - Expert hikers

Routes not always marked and which require a good ability to move on various mountain terrains. They can be paths or even faint traces that wind over rough or steep terrain, with steep and slippery slopes, scree and short snowfields that can be overcome without the use of climbing equipment. They need a good mountain experience, firm footing and good physical preparation. It is also necessary to have adequate equipment and equipment, as well as a good sense of direction. Normally the difference in height is greater than 1000m.

EEA - Expert hikers with mountaineering equipment

Routes that require the use of via ferrata equipment (lanyards, harness, heat sink, helmet, etc.). They can be equipped paths or real via ferratas. It is necessary to know how to use the technical equipment safely and have a certain habit of exposure and mountaineering terrain.

MTB difficulty scale

TC - Tourist

Route on dirt roads with a compact and smooth surface, suitable for vehicles.

BC - For cyclists with good technical skills

Route on very bumpy dirt roads or on mule tracks and paths with a rather bumpy but fairly smooth surface or compact but irregular, with some natural obstacles (eg rock steps or roots).

OC - For cyclists with excellent technical skills

As above but on very bumpy and / or very irregular paths, with significant presence of obstacles.

EC - Maximum level for the cycle excursionist

Path on very irregular paths, characterized by steps and obstacles in continuous succession, which require trial-type techniques.