The ancient hamlet of "Abbadia a Sicille" is located near Siena on the crest of the hill that separates the Val di Chiana from the Val d'Orcia, in an area with a wealth of historic and artistic treasures.

The church and the monastery have very ancient origins: the first news of the "Badia di S.Maria a Sicille" dates from around the the year 1000, and the inscription on the church's facade shows the date 1263.

The Maltese crosses sculpted into the sides of the porch lead one to think that the monastery belonged to the Templar Order and therefore acted as a hospice for pilgrims; after then it came into the hands of the Olivetans who possessed it un until 1819.