The Abbey of Sant’Urbano all’Esinante is a Benedictine Abbey dedicated to Saint Urban, patron saint of Apiro, whose origin dates back to a few decades before the year 1000.
The hegemony of the Abbey extended along the San Clemente Valley and constituted a centre of religious and civil power. This was the cause of continuous contrasts with the Municipality of Apiro, which culminated in the thirteenth century with the fire and partial destruction of the church. The complex was later renovated, becoming a resting place for pilgrims.
In 1810, with the arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte in Italy, the Abbey passed to the State and was later sold to private individuals and transformed into a farm. In 1978 it was finally donated to the Municipality of Apiro, the current owner.The church of Sant’Urbano has two curiosities: its interior is divided into two parts, one for the laity and one dedicated expressly to religious functions (elevated), connected by a small door. Once inside and down the few steps, you will find yourself in a rather large room with columns and sculpted capitals. You are in the first part of the church, the secular one with a wall that will separate you visually from the real church that you can access by climbing other stairs, while those that descend will lead you to the crypt.
