It rises at 818 meters above sea level and is located near the banks of one of the branches of the river Archiano, quoted by Dante Alighieri (Purgatory, fifth song, verse 94). The architectural complex consists of the old hospice or guesthouse, the church and the monastery. It was built in 1046, when the monks built a small hospital near the church. The building works of the present monastery began in the 16th century and saw the enlargement of the cloister on the north side of the church and on the west side of the hospital that was incorporated. The work was completed in 1611. Camaldoli was also known as Fontebuona for the quality and richness of the waters that were celebrated by the monumental fountain that Ambrose traversari built in front of the entrance of the monastery.

Not far from the monastery there is a pond of artificial origin but which has been naturalized for a long time: the Laghetto traversari. There is the ancient pharmacy or galenic laboratory, in which the monks worked spices and medicinal plants to cure the sick of the ancient “hospitable”. The current pharmacy, with its fine walnut furniture, dates back to 1543. In the baroque church there are works by Vasari.

In the Renaissance it became an important cultural centre and after 1520 a printing shop was also set up.