A legend tells, that where the abbey is, about 2 kms north of Giano dell'Umbria, Saint Felix (= San Felice), first bishop of Massa, had a small oratory built in the early 4th century. After he became a martyr during the Diocletianic Persecution, his followers buried the saint here. Probably already during the 8th century a convent existed around the tomb.

The church dates to the 12th century, erected when this was a Benedictinian abbey. Most other existing buildings were erected within the 16th century. These buildings seem to squeeze the apses of the Romanesque church, seen in the center.

Today the abbey is used by the "Missionari del Preziosissimo Sangue" ("Missionaries of the Precious Blood").