"Abbazia San Verecondo and SanFrancesco" Top 5 Page for this destination Gubbio Off The Beaten Path Tip by Trekki

Abbazia San Verecondo or Vallingegno is a magnificent old abbey south of Gubbio. It also has a connection to San Francesco, he was here after he fled from Assisi and worked as a kitchen worker for the Benedictine monks who lived here for quite a time.

I wanted to visit it during my second stay in Gubbio (Oct/Nov 2009) but somehow didn’t manage to do so. But then my Italian teacher Edvige Galasso and I had a lovely day out on November 1, visited Bevagna and had dinner in the best of all restaurants, Redibis (in discussion and preparation of a special event next year). On our way to Bevagna we passed this abbey and decided that we will have a closer look on our way back home. When we left the Perugia area and turned north into the little road to Gubbio I almost killed my poor teacher because I screamed of joy when I saw this huge full moon which is so majestic when it is still low. I raced (against my habits) northward because I wanted to take photos with the moon still so huge. Of course this was not really possible, since we had to drive another 30 km to arrive at the abbey but I am still satisfied with the result despite it was smaller now. But next time during full moon I will come earlier and then sit and wait like a “hunter” at the parking spot directly next to the street. With this marvellous colonial style belltower it makes for a really good photo!

The fate of the abbey is sad though. Edvige told me that it was an agriturismo until recently and I have read a wonderful review of it on the Slow Trav website. I have no idea why they went out of business. It is a prime location although a bit off the usual ways. But then, almost the whole planet wants secluded agriturismi in Toscana…. Well, Toscana is only a region and has the better marketing strategies. Maybe Umbria will get some more fame one day. It deserves it, especially for all the locations which have connections to San Francesco.

Directions:
From Gubbio drive south along Via Perugina (that’s the road which leads south from Piazza Quaranta Martiri) and follow this road (SS298). Already when you pass the village of Mengara you can see it on the top of a hill to the south.

San Verecondo on Google Maps.

© Ingrid D., November 2009 (just in case, RickS or others come along and think they can steal texts).

Website: http://www.bellaumbria.net/Gubbio/abbazia-vallingegno_eng.htm