Abbey of Saint Sylvester (Abbazia di San Silvestro)

The Abbey of Nonantola, a major centre of power and culture in the Middle Ages, was founded in 752. In the 11th century, it promoted the establishment of the Nonantola Partecipanza Agraria (farming collective), which still exists today; the 15th century, when it was granted in commendam, saw the beginning of its decline. The last commendatory abbot was Francesco Maria d’Este, illegitimate son of Francesco III.

The abbey church houses the beautiful portal attributed to the Wiligelmo school and a Romanesque structure, also due to the substantial restorations carried out at the beginning of the 20th century. In the nearby abbey building there is a rich museum that exhibits important pieces of goldsmith’s art, illuminated manuscripts and works of art from the 14th to the 17th century. The abbey archive is also noteworthy.