The abbey was founded by St. Laurentius in the 6th century, but human activity in the small valley probably dates back to ancient times with both a temple and imperial Roman villa.

In fact, the crypt is still home to a 2nd century Roman sarcophagus.

Farfa significant religious and political influence following the fall of the Roman Empire and benefited from the protection of Charlemagne who stayed here shortly before his coronation in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.

The repeated Saracens attacks forced the abandonment of the monastery in the late 9th century, but it was subsequent rougues and vagabonds who destroyed the complex.

The monks eventually came back, but only in 996 did the previous prosperity return.

So much so that the abbey became in effect, a small state with its own army, school, servants, pharmacy and offered hospitality to pilgrims.

By the turn of the first millennium, the old library was one of the richest in Europe.

Thousands of ancient texts and codexes were elaborated and who can estimate Farfa's importance in preserving classical culture and memory during the continent's darkest ages.

www.abbaziadifarfa.it