San Gemini - Abbazia di San Nicolò

San Gemini was probably founded by people having abandoned the Roman settlement of Carsulae, now an archeological area, about 5kms north.

The "Regesto di Farfa" from 1036 is the first document that mentions the city as well as the "Abbey of San Nicolò". The abbey was built on older foundations in the 11th century and has undergone numerous alterations and restoration works through the centuries.

The Abbey of San Nicolò prospered until the 14th century. After it lost its autonomy, the abbey declined. Around the mid 15th century, it was entrusted to the Chapters of S. Gregory and S. Peter of Spoleto, and was definitively incorporated by the latter in 1531, which marked its demise. So most of the buildings of the convent got lost over the time. Here is a corner of the former cloister.

It is privately owned, but fortunately a friendly gentleman unlocked the doors for us. Mille grazie!