The Abbey of St. Peter in Valley was founded in the 6th century by two Syrian hermits, Giovanni and Lazzaro, afterwards it was enlarged and dedicated to St. Peter by the Lombard Duke of Spoleto, Faroaldo Il. Presumably built on the remains of an ancient Roman temple, the abbey has a unique artistic heritage, with findings of different genres and eras.
Of inestimable value is the Lombard altar frontal called “Ursus Magester” and the oldest Romanesque fresco cycle in Umbria with stories from the Old and New Testaments, from which Giotto took inspiration for his frescoes in the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.
Inside the Abbey Church one can also admire the largest collection of Roman sarcophagi in Umbria (6 sarcophagi) and Roman, Lombard and Carolingian reuse material which was used for the original building .
The abbey is often used as a wedding venue.
