For a thousand years, the Abbey of San Pietro has stood quietly yet firmly on top of a plateau in a not-too-often-visited corner of Umbria, Italy. This isolated 10th-century cloister is surrounded on all sides by the dense, green vegetation of the Nera Valley, making it a secluded retreat, a place that has an incredibly rich history and has now become a modern eco-pilgrimage destination.
The abbey can be reached by car but is also a stop on a great hiking trail that leads through this quiet rural region, past various agrarian communities and wonderful historic sights. Situated in the Nera Valley and surrounded by nature on all sides, the Abbey of San Pietro is a superb base from which to explore this lush landscape. Activities that are on offer range from whitewater rafting and horseback riding to mountain biking, trekking, canoeing and kayaking, and rejuvenating walks around the grounds.
Nearby natural attractions include the Marmore waterfalls, natural cave systems and the beautiful lake of Piediluco. More adventurous visitors may want to go hang gliding or free climbing.
In addition to spending time in nature and being active, guests at the Abbey of San Pietro can also simply wind down and relax. It is a place—a spiritual place—where people can rid themselves of the stress of everyday life, replenish their energy levels and find inner peace and harmony. There is a four-person Finnish sauna and a heated pool with hydromassages, as well as a wellness suite that can accommodate two people and offers four different treatments. Therapies and treatments at the spa include Indian body massages, music and dance therapies, Hata yoga, Thai Chi lessons, plantar reflexology and emolymphatic massages.
Accommodation is available in the old cells where the abbey’s Benedictine monks used to live, and in the lodge. Every single room is different from the others. While certain rooms have fireplaces, others come with lobbies, loopholes, niches or built-in closets. No matter which room guests stay at, the medieval charm shines through and makes for a unique place to spend the night. The abbey can accommodate up to 50 people—it is open from April to October.
