The Church of Sant’Agostino

Hermitage of Saints Lucia and Antonio

Located on the Montagnola between Montarrenti and Ponte di Rosia, this hermitage named for Saints Lucy and Anthony was founded probably around the end of the twelfth century. It became a part of the Order of the Hermits of Saint Augustine between 1244 and 1250. In 1267 the new church was finally consecrated after construction starting in 1240. On this occasion, the faithful were encouraged to visit the church and obtain indulgences from the bishops of Volterra, Grosseto, and Massa. Starting in the thirteenth century, the hermitage enjoyed the significant presence of religious leaders including Blessed Pietro de Rossi, known for his boundless love for the Holy Cross, and Blessed Giacomo of Rosia, celebrated for high merits of chastity, observance, and charity. Miracles were attributed to Blessed Giacomo; the most famous was connected with his ability to cause a particular kind of apple tree to bear fruit every year, or rather every two years, to provide food for the poor. This ancient hermitage never united with Lecceto, but continued to be a part of the Province of Siena. In the sixteenth century it entered a slow decline, which concluded several centuries later with its suppression.