Monte Oliveto Maggiore



Founded in 1313 by Bernado Tolomei, the monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore is Benedictine in practice. Benedictine monks are the most mainstream, practicing "peace, prayer and work," while living in autonomous communities with their own local government.

Monte Oliveto Maggiore owned most of the land in the Siena region, so having its own private government would come in handy when dealing with such riches, as would a good lawyer. Fortunately, Bernado Tolomei was a jurist, leaving the monastery in a very lucrative state by the time he died. Stefano da Bagnone was assassinated by Ezio Auditore da' Firenze in 1479. Ezio successfully infiltrated the monastery without alerting its monks or any of the guards hidden there before killing his target.

The monastery is located in Tuscany.