The Camaldoli Monastery, which also includes the thousand-year-old Hermitage, is a monastic complex in the municipality of Poppi (Arezzo), in the heart of the Casentinesi Forests Park.

This sacred site was once also known as Fontebuona (or Fontebona) thanks to the quality of its waters. This community of Benedictine monks was founded around the year 1000 by Saint Romuald.

The Sacred Hermitage and the Monastery, immersed in the beautiful Sacred Forest of the Camaldolesi, symbolize two essential aspects of monastic life: solitude and communion.

The Camaldoli Monastery complex comprises several buildings: the ancient Hospice or Guesthouse, the church, and the Monastery, built starting in 1046. Work on the current, simple monastery building began in 1500 and was completed in 1611.

Among the works of art housed in the monastery, seven panels by Giorgio Vasari deserve special mention. The largest altarpiece depicts the Descent from the Cross and is located above the altar. Under the balcony grates overlooking the monastic choir are two more of his small panels, depicting Saint Donatus and Saint Hilary. Two more Vasari altarpieces are located in the chapels near the presbytery. One depicts the Nativity of Christ, the other the Virgin Enthroned between Saint John the Baptist and Saint Jerome. The landscape in the background of this work depicts the monastery and hermitage of Camaldoli as they appeared in the 16th century.

The Hermitage of Camaldoli is located three kilometers from the Monastery, in an isolated position compared to the other buildings. It was founded in the 11th century by Saint Romuald, a native of Ravenna. Romuald arrived here around 1023, at the end of his life spent reorganizing the Benedictine order. Arriving at the Campo Amabile clearing, he founded the Hermitage, while in Fontebona he reorganized the existing travel station that hosted pilgrims.

It is located at 1,100 meters above sea level and is the home of the Camaldolese monks, belonging to the order of Saint Benedict. At the Camaldoli Hermitage, you can visit the guesthouse, the ancient refectory, the church, and Saint Romuald’s cell.