Cloister of Torri

The monastery of Torri, located in the municipality of Sovicille and originally named after the Holy Trinity and later Saint Mustiola, was likely founded in the mid-11ᵗʰ century. It was first officially cited in 1071 when placed under the protection of Pope Alexander II through a papal bull. In the mid-12ᵗʰ century, the monastic complex was integrated into the Vallombrosian Congregation, a community of Benedictine monks founded in the early 11ᵗʰ century and named after the Vallombrosa Abbey. 

Beginning in 1224 the monks undertook the construction of several large mills on the Merse River, in agreement with the Municipality of Siena. Meanwhile, a castle had been built in the immediate vicinity of the monastery, whose inhabitants formed one of the communes into which the Sienese countryside was divided. In 1465, the monastery ceased to have autonomous existence and was assigned to the episcopal refectory of Siena. 

The village retains its medieval atmosphere to this day. An arched doorway that opens into the stone walls leads into a piazza with an ancient bakery, from which characteristic narrow streets connect to where was once another doorway. To the right of the piazza, via an archway, is the little piazza for entering the abbey. On the right side, you can see the side of the church, with a portal bearing a richly carved lintel and three large windows from the 14ᵗʰ century while at the rear is a gateway to the cloister.

The cloister, perfectly preserved on all four sides and divided into three orders, constitutes one of the most extraordinary and striking works in the Sienese countryside. The first order is Romanesque and polychrome thanks to the use of travertine, “alberese nero” from Vallerano and pink limestone. What is arresting is the richness of the decorations, present not only on the capitals of the small columns but also on their shafts, corner pillars and pulvini. The second order, probably built between the 13ᵗʰ and 14ᵗʰ centuries, is made of terracotta whereas the third, possibly from the late 14ᵗʰ century, is made of wood.

For information on opening days and hours, phone +39 0577/314503 or email info@prolocosovicille.it.