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Planning Your Visit to Farfa for the Residential Workshops

Information on travel to and staying at the International Brigittine Center of Farfa

photo of the Farfa Abbey, Farfa, Sabina
Venue: International Bridgettine Centre of Farfa, in Sabina

The International Bridgettine Center of Farfa is located in the  beautiful, quiet, Middle-Age, village of Farfa, Sabina, in the region of Lazio, central part of of Italy; one of the least populated areas of Italy. It is surrounded by hills of woods, vines, land covered with olive trees, and splendid breath-taking sceneries in surrounding area. 

The monastery is approximately one-hour drive from the city of Rome and from Fiumicino airport, ideal for getting away smog city life of Rome. 

For more information about staying at The International Bridgettine Center (Farfa) visit: http://www.brigidine.org/en-EN/GalleriaFarfa.aspx

Offering an inviting atmosphere for regenerating one’s physical and spiritual energies.

  • Romantic landscapes a with spectacular sunset views
  • Well preserved countryside paths and areas for walking, horse riding, cycling, 
  • Fresh water Farfa river idea for swimming
  • Many Medieval castles and villages to visit such as Farfa, Toffia, Casperia, Poggio Catino, Montasola and Roccantica.
  • Many olives tree plantations that produces some of Italy’s finest olive oil
  • Quite and beautiful countryside locations idea for artist and spiritual retreats, 
The Eldership Workshops at Farfa Abbey

The World is Changing – Are You?

Who are we and how do we fit into this modern world today? The practice of “eldership” provides a guide post for all who yearn for positive engagement in our communities and more enrichment in everyday living. In this seven-day residential retreat we will explore eldership skills we can learn and practice at any age. Find out more>>


At this residential retreat, we will explore the role of elders and eldership in our our lives, communities and society. Using a Process Work and deep democracy approach we will learn methods to address some of the anxieties and worries we face in our ever changing world. 

We will engage with creativity, dynamic group interactions, short theoretical presentations, and inner work to discover renewed growth on our personal learning path.

 The retreat’s learning style is participative. In an open-minded space participants guide the path of our process with questions, experiences, and in bringing deepest inspirations into the group and into the world.

In a fun and creative atmosphere, you will play and create with clay as a way to reach feelings often hard to explain in words. You will also use art, yoga, poetry and literature, to reach undiscovered regions of your mind, body and soul – and you will explore how to continue to be an active participant and guide in our societies. Find out more>>

Weather and 'What to Pack'

The September climate in Farfa is cooler than July and August. However it may be hot or warm during the day, and might be chilly at night.

Recommended Clothing

Comfortable clothes for physical exercise and for walking

Light clothes for the day

A jumper or cardigan for the evening

Raincoat or umbrella

Sun hat

Walking shoes

Comfortable trainers/shoes

T-shirts

Women to wear skirts or dresses if visiting churches

Swimming costumes – the small creek nearby is lovely for a dip!

Beach towel for the swim


Recommended Accessories

Shower towel, soap and shampoo products

A mat for doing exercise on the grass (or a beach towel)

A scarf or small towel to lay your face on when doing yoga

Sun block and Mosquito repellent

A “PM” (personal mug) for your teas and coffees during day or before bed time. The venue only provides cups for the regular breaks (mid morning and mid afternoon ) and cups are not allowed to leave the dining room.

A torch (if you want to walk by night)

A bottle to fill with water and have with you during the activities

Small rucksack

Getting to Farfa Abbey

Listed here are the airports, public transport to Farfa and driving directions. For more information and travel options check www.RomeToRio.com

Airports Closest to Farfa/Public Transport

The nearest airports from the guest house are:

– Rome Fiumicino (generally only normal flights)

– Rome Ciampino (only Low Cost)

From Airports By Public Transportation

From Fiumicino: 
From the station inside the airport, take the train line “FR1” and get off at “Fara Sabina-Montelibretti”. From the square of the train station there are buses for “Castelnuovo di Farfa” (from 5.20 AM to 21.25 PM).

From Ciampino: 
Take one of the buses that goes directly to Termini station (Rome). Take the metro B direction “Rebibbia”, get off at “Tiburtina” and continue with the train line “FR1” until the “Fara Sabina-Montelibretti” station. From the square of the train station there are Buses for “Castelnuovo di Farfa” (from 5.20 AM to 21.25 PM).


From Airport by Rental Car

You can rent a car at the airport (in Fiumicino airport, but also in Ciampino airport you can find car rentals)

– Highway A1 direction Firenze (coming from South) or direction Rome (coming from North)

– Exit Fiano Romano – Rieti

– After the tollbooth follow the directions for Rieti

– After the Viaduct you go down on the Salaria (ss4) (it’s the name of a street)

– After 100 meters turn Left at the first traffic light

– At the rotatory turn on the SP41 (2° exit Via Farense) the street that goes along the chimney (not the uphill one) (look for the road sign with this direction: Abbazia di Farfa)

– Go on for 2-3 Km and turn left on the 4-5th street that you cross (strada degli Inglesi) (there is always the road sign for “Abbazia di Farfa”)

– Go on straight on the main road with asphalt, till you get to the Abbey parking. We’ll meet you there.

A Little Voyage and Tale Into the Heart of Farfa

Going to Farfa you will have an opportunity to live an ancient experience in time and space!


You will enter the beautiful medieval village of Farfa from two arches that face the main street flanked by ancient workshops. The workshops were built in 1477 to welcome the traders who came from different part of the world and developed into the biggest market in centre of Italy that developed in different streets of the same type: the workshops with big windows displaying their artisanal products. The small brick houses are snugly built against a backdrop of woods where the homes of the merchants and, above it.

The heart of Farfa was and still is the Benedectine abbey dedicated to the Virgin, beautiful and uncharacteristic to be so close to Papal States, an imperial abbey where Charles The Great lived for a month before being crowned emperor in Rome (on 25 December of 800).

an Farfa Abbey building

The abbey was rich in gold and culture. The ancient library, which can still be visited today, was used by the monks to study ancient text. They also wrote, copied and illustrated rare ancient texts on sheep’s skins. In some of these books the fascinating history of Farfa is documented e.g. the raids by the Saracens, the destructions and the reconstruction of the villages; and tales about knights and dragons. What can be breathed in Farfa is something more mysterious. The abbey was built upon a Romanic church and under it, the legend tells that there was the Sybilla’s cave, the oracle of water and fire.

The nature in Farfa is neither the background or the scenography, but the protagonist of legends, tales and mysteries. It takes no more than to walk and breathe the clean air, let your eyes and skin be fed by the beauty of the hills, the trees, the expanse of olive trees, the lush green woods in the summer with thousands of singing birds; not forgetting the calming, tranquil sound of the underlying fresh and clean Farfa river which is a joy for swimming.

In this atmosphere we will be welcomed by the Brigidine nuns in the ancient monastery which they run with grace, order and cleanliness. The nuns of the Order of Saint Brigida come from different countries. They are kind, gentle and reserved, and look after the building with care and attention.

The nuns are caretakers of its/ old library, spacious conference room, several living rooms for relaxing, and bedroom that overlook on the ancient cloister with fountain and four big plane trees inside the abbey and narrow medieval street that flanks the abbey walls. On the ground floor is the well-kept kitchen and spacious and pleasant dining room where we will taste delicious simple and authentic food to cater for different taste. There are two small pleasant gardens to enjoy the peace and calm of the natural surroundings.

In Farfa village there are a range of intriguing shops and attractions:

An ancient textile house where are still used the ancient looms andcreate fabrics of pure linen and cotton with original medieval patterns.

Three souvenir shops of which one sell medieval objects and weapons.

Two antiquarians

A bistro with regional dishes and products

A restaurant

Two bars (one inside, one in the village)

A bakery

stone street in Farfa village of Middle Ages

Two herbalist’s shops, one run by the monks (inside the abbey) and one in the village

The magic of a place is often connected to it’s past and to the will of maintain the memory alive.

The village and the abbey of Farfa appear to be places where time is not passed. Serenity and peace seem to surround every building; and time seems to flow slowly, away from the chaos and the frenzied life that pervade the city.

A true oasis of tranquillity!