Certosa di Pontignano, Siena

The Certosa di San Pietro , also known as the Certosa di Pontignano , is a religious building located in Pontignano, near Ponte a Bozzone , in the municipality of Castelnuovo Berardenga , in the province of Siena . The Certosa di San Pietro a Pont nce of Siena . The Certosa di San Pietro a Pontignano was one of three that arose in the Sienese territory together with that of Maggiano and that of Belriguardo , now disappeared . It was founded in 1343 by Bindo di Falcone Petroni who also assigned for its maintenance some assets located in the municipalities of Cellole and Misciano. After his project had been approved by the bishop of Siena Donosdeo Malavolti , Petroni entrusted the task of building the monastery to a Carthusian from Aquitaine , friar Amerigo, deputy of the chapter of Grenoble , with the commitment that the monastery could accommodate twelve monks and three lay brothers. In 1353 Petroni made a will and left all his assets to the new monastic community. In 1385 the monastery was equipped with a ring of walls. The monastery suffered much damage during the Sienese War (1554-1555) when it was sacked and half destroyed, so much so that it became necessary to renovate. The works were concluded in 1607 when it was reconsecrated by Archbishop Camillo Borghesi . In 1784 it was suppressed following the Leopoldine laws. The Camaldolese hermits of Monte Celso attempted to save it but in 1810 it was suppressed again by Napoleon . Ecclesiastical activity did not stop only thanks to the transfer of the parish of San Martino a Cellole to Pontignano. After various changes of ownership, in 1959 thanks to the passion and commitment of the Sienese Mario Bracci , constitutional judge and Rector of the University of Siena , the monastery was purchased and transformed into a university college by the same university. The structure is now used for both conferences and accommodations. ...view more