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The Abbey of Sant’Urbano all’Esinante is a Benedictine Abbey dedicated to Sant’Urbano, patron saint of Apiro, whose origin dates back to a few decades before the year 1000.
The hegemony of the Abbey extended along the San Clemente Valley and constituted a center of religious and civil power. This was the cause of constant conflicts with the Municipality of Apiro, which culminated in the thirteenth century with the fire and partly the destruction of the church. The Abbey was later renovated, becoming a stopping point for pilgrims.
In 1810, with the arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte in Italy, the Abbey passed to the state property and was subsequently sold to private owners and transformed into a farm. In 1978 it was finally donated to the Municipality of Apiro, the current owner.
Starting from 2017, with the launch of the public-private project Valle di San Clemente, the Municipality is supported by the Loccioni company to enhance the entire abbey complex, and also restore the old rural school.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Abbey open?
The Abbey is always open and can be visited during the day, thanks to a video surveillance system and automatic lighting. Visitors will find a free information flyer and audio guide available. During the busiest periods, the adjacent infopoint is also open; there, a group of local students is available to guide visitors into the Abbey and the San Clemente Valley.
When is Holy Mass celebrated in the Abbey?
Holy Mass is celebrated in the Abbey every Saturday at 7:00 PM.
When does the Luminous Eye of Sant'Urbano phenomenon occur?
The phenomenon of the luminous eye of the Abbey of Sant’Urbano occurs on May 25 and July 19 at 7:00 in the morning.