The Benedictine Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo in Montescaglioso, established in the mid-11th century and later expanded with the incorporation into the Benedictine Congregation of San Giustina from Padua in 1484, is a site of significant historical importance. Among its various spaces, the guesthouse stands out, originally intended for travelers and pilgrims seeking hospitality at the monastery. Located on the upper floor, the guesthouse is detailed in the "Status" of the monastery, a document from 1650 that provides an accurate inventory of the spaces and is preserved in the archives of the Cassinese Congregation.
The guesthouse was situated above several ground-floor rooms adjacent to the entrance hall, which were reserved for the monks and oblates responsible for the continuous oversight of the monastery. Comprising four large rooms, it was attached to the enclosing wall that extended to the left of the main entrance. Following the suppression of the monastic community in the 19th century and the transfer of the complex to the Municipality of Montescaglioso, the guesthouse took on a new role, housing various public offices.
Today, the Abbey represents not only a place of great spiritual and architectural significance but also a testament to the history and evolution of the area, preserving intact the marks of its monastic past.
