In the heart of the Maremma National Park, high on the wooded ridge of the Monti dell’Uccellina hills overlooking the sea, are the stunning ruins of the Abbey of San Rabano and its imposing bell tower. The abbey was founded as a Benedictine monastery in the 11th or 12th century, was fortified by the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem, who also built the nearby Uccellina watchtower and hermitage.

The monks struggled to make the rugged surrounding land productive, and the complex was abandoned in the 16th century. Reaching it is a five hour round trip hike following the route 1 trail from the Alberese Visitor Center, up through the thick vegetation and oak forest to the highest point of the national park at Poggio Lecci, from where you can see the coast, the mountains of Corsica, and the whole of the Tuscan archipelago. The Abbey is just further along the ridge.