Amandola - Abbazia SS. Rufino e Vitale

Located 6 km from Amandola the Abbazia SS. Rufino e Vitale overlooks the Tenna Valley.

The abbey was built over Roman ruins in the second half of the 11th century. In the 13th century, the massive tower was raised. The church is built on a basilica plan with a presbytery over the crypt. The crypt is divided into five naves by short columns with simple leaf capitals; the remains of Saint Rufino are under the main altar. Under the church as well is a much older enigmatic hermit or hypogeum crypt, probably from the 6th century.

The abbey exercised a strong economic and social impulse and administered the surrounding territory until the end of the 15th century. After several alterations, and damage from the recent earthquakes, the abbey is now completely restored - but unfortunately locked.