Chiusure
Chiusure is a small village in the Crete senese in the Province of Siena in Tuscany.
Understand
The main reason for most visitors to go to Chiusure is the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, which is up a hill a few hundred metres from the centre of the village. Chiusure is about half way between Buonconvento and Asciano, on a road that goes through a unique, pock-marked (Crete senese = Sienese craters), semi-arid region, but the abbey is on a hill green with cypresses.
There is also a new facility for artists and guests called Amant, including a residence, pool and retail stores, which is expected to open early in 2020 and will doubtless change the character of this village.
Get in
This village is a few kilometres from Asciano and Buonconvento.
By car
Best access is by car, and there is parking available on the hill where the abbey is situated.
By bus
SITA runs one bus on Linea 109/ A daily from Siena, leaving Porta Ovile at 13:58 (winter) or 14:12 (summer) and Porta Pispini at 14:01 (winter) or 14:14 (summer) and arriving at 14:50/15:05. However, the only bus returning to Siena from Chiusure leaves at 06:55 (regardless of season) and arrives at Porta Pispini at 07:44, thereby necessitating a night's stay in or very near Chiusure.
By train
Go to Asciano (8 km away) or Buonconvento (9 km away) and then take a taxi (Cassioli, 0577 71 82 73 in Asciano; Lorenzetti, 0577 80 60 94 or Tistoni, 333 3584410 in Buonconvento).
On foot
If you have thoughts of hiking through the Crete senese, plan carefully. The region is a semi-desert, without shade. Make sure to take plenty of water, especially in hot weather, and use a lot of sunscreen.
See
The Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore (Italian: Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore), an active monastery built in the 1300s which most famously includes beautiful frescoes by Luca Signorelli - Michelangelo's teacher - in the Cloister. There are also frescoes by the Sienese painter, Antonio Bazzi, called "Il Sodoma" ("The Sodomite"). After you've seen those, it's worth looking at the fine intarsial woodwork in the Choir.
Do
The beauty of the cypress-strewn hill and the monastery encourage quiet contemplation and appreciation of nature. That and viewing the frescoes in the cloister and the intarsial woodwork in the choir are the main activities for visitors to Chiusure.
Buy
There is a souvenir shop on top of the hill.
Eat
There is also a restaurant there.
Drink
The monks produce an herbal liqueur called Flora di Monteoliveto. It is for sale in the Liqueurery (Liquoreria) in the abbey and can also be ordered for delivery within Italy on the abbey's website.
Sleep
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Abbey of Monte Oliveto Hospitality, ☎ +39 0577 707652, e-mail: foresteria@monteolivetomaggiore.it. From the website: "The Abbey is a place of hospitality, in the millennial Benedictine tradition, offering both physical and spiritual rest to singles, groups, families, pilgrims, cultural-religious conferences, pastoral activities and school camps who seek an inspirational and peaceful place to stay. All are welcome to participate in the Liturgy together with the Monastic Community." There is also a camping area next to the monastery, though that may be reserved for youth. If you plan on calling for reservations, do so between 09:30 and 12:00 or 16:00 and 17:30, every day except Sundays and Church holidays.
Connect
Go next
Siena. If you didn't come from Siena in the first place, it is the most obvious place to go next.