Tradition

The Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena has secular origins: its first testimony, in fact, is of 1046 in which year the Benedictine Monk Donizone wrote the “Vita Mathildis”, chronicle of the life of Matilde of Canossa. It is narrated that Enrico III of Franconia, in trip toward Rome to be crowned Emperor of the Sacro Romano Impero from the pontiff Clemente II, it made standstill to Piacenza and in that occasion he sent a messenger to the powerfull gentleman Bonifacio of Canossa (father of Matilde of Canossa), to ask him a gift of that special vinegar, praised of a great quality, that was produced near the Fortress of Canossa.

The “laudatum acetum” – so defined in the chronicle of Donizone – it was manufactured in a silver bottle and it was sent to the future Emperor, what precious and pleasant gift.

The value of the Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, product of The Abbey of Benedictine Fathers of Modena, derives from the wise abilities and competences of them, which, according to the Benedictine Rule: “Ora et Labora”, they have patiently known how to guard and to hand down, at the same time, the refined techniques of the production of a so dainty vinegar.

A long period characterizes the process of transformation of the Balsamic Vinegar of Modena to the complete maturation; many years are necessary so that vinegar reaches his peculiar characteristics of density and aromaticity.

The tradition is so developed in the time up to our days, highly making this exclusive and only product.

San Benedetto da Norcia

San Benedetto was born March 2 480 A.D. Norcia in an austere environment and healthy that allowed him to preserve the soul as clear as the sky clear of his native land. Little more than eighteen left Norcia, obeying paternal invitation to go to Rome to continue the humanities. He opened himself generously to God's intimacy that inspired him to flee the capital and retreat to a deserted place to please Him alone. The young man thought it appropriate to settle in a hermitage near Subiaco, where he met a monk, who consecrated to God by giving him the monastic habit and so Benedetto closed in a cave inaccessible to devote himself entirely to the contemplation of God. Then he left the hermitage and headed for the town of Cassino, where he built the monastery of Montecassino. Around 540 A.D. Benedetto wrote his Rule “Ora et Labora”, standard of living for all the monks, still observed by all the abbeys of the Benedictine Fathers of the world.

March 21, 547 AD, according to tradition, Benedetto closed his eyes in the oratory of San Martino, where he did lead his disciples heard approaching the end. And as he had prepared, he was buried next to his sister Scolastica, who had preceded him in the sky just over a month before.

Abbey of San Pietro of Modena

Abbey of San Pietro of Modena dates from the late tenth century, as founding bishop, which became independent in 1148. The monastery was suppressed at the time of the French Revolution (1796), was re-opened by the Duke of Modena, closed again by the Savoy (1866) in both cases a monk remained as pastor. Aside from a brief interruption (1926-1938) the Benedictine Fathers have always been present in this Abbey and still live the monastic community, in the observance of the Benedictine Rule: "Ora et Labora".

The Apothecary monastic boasts the same origins, initially was used for the purpose of internal pharmacy, centuries later became real niche products of the Abbey of the Benedictine Fathers of Modena.