Abbey of San Cassiano, Narni

Secluded amidst the green woods of Monte Santa Croce, in the Narni area, the Benedictine abbey of San Cassiano has the charm of places that guard centuries of history.

But San Cassiano's charm also comes from the beauty of the surrounding nature and its splendid panoramic position.

It is very likely that in addition to being, similar to other Benedictine monasteries, an important spiritual, study and work centre, San Cassiano also had a function of garrisoning the territory since its location overlooked the ancient route of the Via Flaminia.  Some inscriptions found during recent restoration work indicate that the abbey already existed in the second half of the 10th century.

The monastic complex, protected by crenellated walls, consists of the church and buildings once used for the activities of the monks and for accommodating pilgrims. The elegant cusped bell tower rises above the complex. The church was originally in the shape of a Greek cross, as San Cassiano was built on an earlier monastery from the 6th century by a Byzantine general to control the crossing of the Nera river. The original layout, transformed in the 14th century, was made readable again by the restoration in the second half of the last century. Other Byzantine elements, including remains of decorations, are still visible.  The abbey of San Cassiano, currently uninhabited, can also be reached via a trekking route that starts near the Augustus Bridge.