Sant'Animo abbey, found in the solitary Starcia valley; is one of the most beautiful roman monuments, probably Cistercian, with obvious Lombardic elements. According to an ancient legend, the abbey was made by the will of Emperor Carlo Magno in 781. It tells that the Emperor on his return from Rome, while crossing the Francigena Road, ran the risk of catching the plague like many of his soldiers, which ran rabid in the region situated between the Amiata mountains. When close to the Starcia river, the Emperor took a pause to pray for himself and for his people that the powerful scourge would come to an end; for having his prayers answered he built The Sant'Animo abbey.

The actual church had substituted, in 1118, the pre-roman basilica, as the writing etched on the steps of the main altar attests to. The name of the comissioner, Bernardo degli Ardengheschi, is also found on a column.
The construction of the church and convent demanded a task much too expensive for the economic situation of the Benedictine monks. This period of ruin led to the eventual substitution of the Benedictine monks for the Gugliemites in 1291. In 1462 the abbey was suppressed by Pope Pio II and incorporated into the Montalcino diocese.
Later, in a part of the matrons area (gallery reserved for women, set in the side aisles, which faced the central nave), the Bishop's apartment was created.