Immersed in the tranquillity of the hills of Sassoferrato, the Società Agricola delle Monache (Nuns’ Agricultural Company), connected to the monastery of Sant’Anna in Bastia Umbra, was created as a project that intertwines monastic life with the care of the land and the production of food. The community of nuns that manages this enterprise keeps bees and cultivates fruit, vegetables, and cereals such as two-row barley, transforming the harvests into tomato passata, preserves, lemon and orange marmalades, biscuits, taralli, herbal teas, honey, oil, and craft beer. This is the first experience in Italy of nuns producing beer, carrying forward an activity that reflects the Benedictine rule ora et labora, meaning the balance between prayer and work.
The monastery
The environment surrounding the agricultural company is rich in lush nature, while the village of Sassoferrato is characterised by streets winding between ancient buildings, quiet alleyways, and scenic glimpses. The old town is dominated by the Sant’Anna fortress, which has hosted the community since 1609.
In this monastery, once wounded by the war between Perugia and Assisi, the land extends over 17 hectares. The nuns work with care, following processes that enhance every single ingredient to the fullest. The sisters follow the Benedictine rule with precise hours and activities throughout the day: wake-up at 5:30 a.m., three hours of prayer, from 9 to 12 work is carried out, then prayer before lunch. In the afternoon there is either work or study until 6 p.m., which is the hour of vespers. Then dinner, and at 9 p.m. the final prayer of the day.
The beer and the oil
The craft beer produced by the nuns, called Tranquillità Antica (“Ancient Tranquillity”), comes in two versions, both naturally refermented in the bottle according to Belgian tradition: the Belgian Blonde, with a delicate and slightly sweet taste thanks to organic Pils malt, and the Belgian Dubbel, fuller-bodied and more complex, with warm notes of chocolate and toasted caramel that enhance its richness.
Alongside the beer, there is also extravirgin olive oil, obtained from three cultivars — Leccino, Frantoio, and Moraiolo —which give life to an oil with a fruity and decisive flavour, and a slightly spicy finish. The products can be found in Assisi at the Bottega delle Monache (Nuns’ Shop).
Photo credit: official website of the Società Agricola delle Monache
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