Vallombrosa

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Vallombrosa is a Benedictine abbey 21 miles (33 km) south-east of Florence, in the Apennines, surrounded by forests of beech and firs. It was founded by Giovanni Gualberto, a Florentine noble in 1038 and became the mother house of the Vallumbrosan Order.

It was extended around 1450, reaching its current aspect at the end of the 15th century. In 1529, after the looting of Charles V, the east tower was built, in the 17th century followed the wall and in the 18th century the fishing ponds. Today, the monastery is open for tourists and is selling local produce.

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