According to historians the Benedictine monastery was founded in the 9th century, probably over the remains of a previous Christian basilica dating back to the 5th century.

For its  strategic position it played an important defensive role, as it tried to prevent the settlement of Saracens along the rich Chienti valley.  It was considered so important by the bishop of Fermo Teodosio and by the Charles III that it became one of the most powerful abbeys in the Marche. Important emperors such as Otto I, Otto II and Frederick II of Sweden and popes such as Celestine II and Gregorius IX made lavish gifts and offered their protection to the abbey.

In the 10^th and 11^th century it was supported by German kings, until 1165, when it was joined to the monastery of Fiastra and became its dependancy, although with particular privileges.

In the 17^th century it was renovated and it was turned into some sort of farmhouse owned by the bishop of  Fermo and many of the monastic rooms disappeared.

The abbey of Santa Croce is very important not only for its cultural and religious  symbolic meaning but also for the natural environment  which surrounds it.