Tradition attributes the founding of the Abbey to Faroaldo II Duke of Spoleto in the 8th century. Here Faroaldo took monastic vows and died in 728. The Lombard church has since then been the Mausoleum of the Lombard dukes, as his cruel son Trasimondo also became a monk, after being exiled by king Liutprandus, and retired to the Abbey where he died in 765.  His successor Hilderigo Dagileopa did likewise after a short term as governor, taking monastic vows in 740, and leaving his name in the frontal altar. We learn from ancient documents that the Abbey covered a large area in the Valnerina and the abbey exercised rights over many churches in the surrounding countryside and possessed an extensive territorial patrimony composed of villas, villages, castles, many of which strategically controlled the roads communicating with Terni, Spoleto, the Sabina and the Marche region; other properties reached as far as Rome. In the course of the XIV century, following serious disorders and abuse, Boniface VIII acted on full powers against the corrupt monks and abbots and assigned the Abbey to the Lateran Chapter.  However, being unable to adequately look after the administration and spiritual needs of the Abbey, the Lateranense Chapter returned it to the Pope, who, at first, entrusted it to the Cybo family and subsequently to the Ancajani who were abbeys and curators at various times. 
In 1861 with the unification of Italy, the State expropriated all Church possessions and enabled the general partners to redeem the property. So in 1890 Decio Ancajani bought the Abbey which passed into private hands. In 1917 the last descendant of the Ancajani family, Serafina Gianavei, surrendered the Abbey to the parish priest, and sold the convent to Ermete Costanzi who immediately began the restoration and consolidation of the structures that appeared to be damaged or in danger of falling down. 

Our charming rooms mostly derive from the old cells where the Benedictine monks of the abbey used to live, or from the lodge, and every room is different from the other: some rooms have a fireplace, others wooden shelves and niches, built-in wardrobes, lobbies or loopholes. The unique, timeless atmosphere of the abbey can be felt everywhere, in every room.