Benedictine Abbey and Monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore in Tuscany

We visited many years ago and attended mass. The region is beautiful and we really enjoyed the drive. There are famous frescoes in the cloister and inside the church. I seem to recall a small store run by the monks. Here is there website which details the hours they are open. http://www.monteolivetomaggiore.it/lang1/opening-hours.html

My husband and I visited last month. We went on our own as we had a car. Bought a guidebook and that sufficed as far as understanding the beautiful art which tells the story of the life of st Benedict.
Please time you visit so that it does not coincide with the monk's lunch. I believe the abbey is closed from noon until 1:30 or 2.

Roberto Bechi, of www.toursbyroberto.com, does a day tour called Clay Hills, or Crete Senesi that visits the Abbey. He lives near Siena, but will pick you up from a pretty wide region. He takes you to off-the-beaten-path places: a tiny town with lots of history, a winery/farm where the family prepares your lunch with pretty much all home grown ingredients (they did say that the goat's milk for the cheese came from a farm a mile away!) In the afternoon you visit the Abbey and he guides you throughout the church and the frescoes. Roberto has a great personality and make the day very enjoyable. He is well recommended here, and by Rick Steves.

We self-toured last year. Very easy place to visit, but they do close for several hours, as I recall Noon-15:00 for the pausa. Be sure to stop into the wine and olive oil shop. Very interesting and good products!

Abbey was very beautiful. Hiking around the grounds and nice gift shop. We were on our way from Siena to Orvieto.