The farm

The farm lies to the west of Rieti along the provincial road connecting Contigliano and Greccio. Half the estate is on the hill crowned by Abbazia San Pastore and the other half is in the plain.

The farm is named after the Abbazia (XII Century) as at the time it was the only source of  economical subsistence of the Abbey.

The history of the Abbey and of the surrounding area consequently run parallel, also due to the important work of  Cistercian monks who settled down here in 1251 and who made important improvements of the land. Thanks to them and to the very fertile soil,  San Pastore reached its peak period of splendour during the XIV century and became rich and powerful.

There are various documents, above all contracts, between the monks and the Municipality of Rieti or between the monks and the Pontificate (Giulio II’s bull of 1504), which bear evidence of the fertility of these soils and the great production of foodstuffs exported to Rome to feed its inhabitants.

However, during the following centuries for various reasons the monks of the Abbey had to give up the land in order to survive and in 1834 they disposed of the whole Abbey to Prince Potenziani.

Today

Today these fertile soils belong to the company San Pastore which has maintained the integrity and the antique characteristics of this territory.

The estate covers an area of about 250 Ha. Approximately half the estate is a hill where the Agriturismo is located and the area extends up to 800 meters above sea level. The hill includes an olive grove and a wood perfect for walks, trekking and mountain biking along the paths.

The other half of the estate, situated in the plain in front of  the hill, is completely cultivated with wheat, corn, lucern grass and sunflowers. In the centre of the plain you can find two ponds surrounded by  poplars, willows  and elms creating an ideal habitat for water birds like herons, mallards, coots, etc. offering great possibilities of  bird-watching.