San Rabano Abbey
San Rabano Abbey, situated between Poggio Lecci and Poggio Alto, was founded in the early 12th century as Monasterium Arborense or Monasterium de Arboresio or Alberese.
The etymology of the name is uncertain: it could derive from arbor, meaning "tree", and albarium,
referring to the whitish stone characterizing Uccellina mountains. In
the first available document, the new name seems to have replaced the
previous name Sancta Maria de Arboresio, while subsequently the complex was called Domus et loci ordinis Sancti Benedecti de Arboresio.
Although it is a rather widespread hypothesis, it is rather unlikely
that the current name derives from a more ancient hermitage situated
downstream; on the contrary, there is a more valid theory according to
which "S. Rabano" derives from the improper and arbitrary use of the
name Sancti Rafani Praeceptor, the builder of the church
ended in 1587 in Alberese and considered by the 18th-19th historians
the last Abbot of the Abbey. The complex, built in the 11th century as
a Cassinese Benedictine settlement, fully developed above all during
the following century thanks to the Cistercian Benedictines.
Further information (Italian text)
