San Benedetto In Alpe

An ancient monastery surrounded by the lush Casentino Forests

In the Casentinesi forests, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park, straddling Romagna and Tuscany, lies the small hamlet of San Benedetto in Alpe. Belonging to the municipality of Portico and San Benedetto, for centuries it has been associated with the abbey of the same name built by the Benedictine monks of Cluny around the year 1000. 

The ancient monastery sits in the valley of the Montone river, leading to the Muraglione Pass and the spectacular Acquacheta waterfall, an unmissable stop for visitors looking to explore the province of Forlì-Cesena.

Capable of impressing Boccaccio and Dante, who even mentioned these places in The Divine Comedy, San Benedetto in Alpe is the ideal starting point for exploring this area, starting from the abbey standing above the small town. The original building from the Middle Ages has been largely destroyed, except for part of the defensive turret and the crypt. But visitors seeking a quiet and charming place among the natural wonders of the Casentino Forests will not be disappointed.