Sant'Eutizio Abbey

Located in the town of Preci, a small and well-conserved historic center, the interesting complex is optimally maintained, the plants that adorn the courtyard and other outdoor spaces with climbing roses, hydrangeas, and other flowers, kept in an admirable way, putting even more emphasis on the beautiful, local clear stone used in its construction. The complex is born around an original oratory from the 5th century founded by Syrian monks, and it seems that it was frequented by Benedict of Norcia in his youth, who considered the monks to be his spiritual fathers.
Since the beginning of the Abbey, it has taken advantages of many privileges, exercising its political and religious power on a large territory, thanks to the concessions of the Empire and the Church and for a long time was the main center of activity for the town of Preci and was home to an important medical and surgical school, very well-known even abroad. In 1236 the church was completely reconstructed, taking on the appearance that we see today.
On the inside we admire the crypt, its vaults are supported by columns perhaps belonging to the original oratory, and the presbytery, at the center of which an elegant little shrine contains the remains of Saint Eutizio.
If you like to walk in the fields in springtime, you can plan to go from there to Norcia on foot, walking on the footpath recently fixed, which follows along the attractive scenery of the Castoriana Valley.