Farneta Abbey

This abbey is at 317 meters on the "Chiucio" hillis of the Valdichiana, on the road between Cortona and Foiano. It is an ancient abbey founded by the Benedettini Neri (Cassinese) (Benedictine) monks. It is built on the site of a Roman temple in commendam to the Cortonese Cardinal, Silvio Passerini, the Bishops Ricci and Vagnucci and to the Ligurian, Dei Carretto; it was then passed on to the olibetani monks, who kept it until the Suppression of the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo di Lorena, around 1780, when the secular priests (Diocese of Cortona) took over from them.

The unusual architectural structure was only discovered recently, from 1937 onwards, thanks to the unceasing research and study of Don Sante Felici, parish abbot of Farneta. The re-discovery of the crypt and its restoration is also owing to him. It is made up of three cela with barrel and cross vaults, supported by various columns, of Roman origin. The first column, rose-coloured granite, comes from Siene (Assuan, Northem Egypt) and ha Roman capital with various figures carved on it, amongst which there is achelòo (a human figure with horns); in the centre there is a "tempietto" with four columns: two of oriental marble, one of Ionic travertine (with 16 flutes) and the other of ash-coloured oriental granite. The Roman funerary stele, between the central and northwest cells, is also interesting and bears the inscription "Quartafiglia di Erennio Pompeo Liberto" The column of the third cell, a classic travertine base, like the first, is made of oriental marble and sandstone and is engraved on the four sides with a cross and flowers. One of the bells was re-cast in 1724, and the other, by Mugnai Filippo di Montevarchi, is from 1827.

The "antiquarium" adjoins the church and houses paleological a archaeological exhibits. Some others found in the area are on display at i Paleontological Museum of Florence.