Monastery of Valledacqua (Acquasanta Terme)

History of the Monastery of Valledacqua

The abbey and the adjoining monastery were built by the Benedictine monks of Farfa toward the end of the 10th century, on the remains of an older church dedicated to San Benedetto. Before the recent restoration, an archaeological dig uncovered the remains of a place of worship dating to the year 1000, with frescoed stone blocks. In the 13th century the complex was partly enlarged and rebuilt.

In 1476 the Benedictine monks returned to San Benedetto, together with the abbey of Farfa, and a period of great vitality began. In the 19th century the complex also suffered thefts and damage at the hands of Piedmontese troops fighting brigandage.

The 20th century brought the earthquakes of 1972 and 1997, which worsened the condition of the building. Restoration began at the start of the new millennium thanks to the Diocese of Ascoli, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and the diocesan institute for the support of the clergy. It was completed in 2002. On June 19, 2002 the complex was entrusted to a Camaldolese community of nuns, dependent on the Monastero di Sant'Antonio in Rome.

What to see at the Monastery of Valledacqua

The church has a very simple facade, with a small bell gable that may date back to the 13th century. The architecture is proto-Romanesque. The interior has a single nave with an irregular plan and the apse facing east. Light comes in through narrow single-light windows with round arches.

At the summer solstice, early in the morning, a ray of sunlight enters through the apse window and crosses the center of the nave.

Inside, Renaissance frescoes have survived. They were commissioned by the Farfa monks in the 15th century in honor of the Virgin, and among them a Madonna and Child and a figure of San Benedetto stand out. The restoration also uncovered some ancient frescoes and two rare furnaces used to melt metal for casting bells.

How to visit the Monastery of Valledacqua

The monastery is a place of religious life, not a museum: the monastic community devotes itself to the liturgy, worship and hospitality for pilgrims. There are also arrangements for those who wish to spend a few days of prayer and work following the rhythm of monastic life. There are places to stay near the complex.

The condition of the church after the 2016-17 earthquake should be checked before setting out. In 2019 the building was usable, but partly enclosed in the safety structures installed after the new damage. It is therefore best to contact the community before arriving and to respect the quiet character of the place. Contact details are in the box on this page.

Where the Monastery of Valledacqua is located

The monastery is in the hamlet of Valledacqua, in the municipality of Acquasanta Terme, a few kilometers from Ascoli Piceno. From Rome, follow the Via Salaria to Acquasanta Terme and continue toward Paggese and San Martino. After a few kilometers, on a sharp right-hand bend, a sign marks the turnoff for the abbey.

Near the Monastery of Valledacqua in Acquasanta Terme

Acquasanta Terme owes its name to its sulfur springs, rich in iodine and iron, which according to tradition the Romans used to treat the wounds of legionaries. From the path leading to the abbey you can see the village of Paggese and Castel di Luco, a medieval castle with a circular plan, a rare example in Italy. The 2016 earthquake damaged part of its structure, which reopened in 2024 after restoration work.

The area also has the Prata and Volpara waterfalls, the Sasso Spaccato, the Rio Garrafo gorges and the free hot springs of Lu Vurghe. On the theme of the area's monastic complexes, the page on abbeys and monasteries in the Sibillini suggests other places to visit. Among them are the Abbey of Sant'Eutizio in Preci and the Monastery of San Lorenzo in Amandola.