Today, most people think of worldly holidays, in tourist resorts, full of good food and fun. But there are still those who prefer find himself with a very special visit: a visit to a monastery. Relaxation, spirituality, peace and beauty of the places they make monasteries capable of recover inner calm of completely disconnect from the frenzy of everyday life. Let's find out the 10 most beautiful monasteries in Italy.
10 - Abbey of Praglia
- Where is it: Via Abbazia di Praglia, 16, 35037 Teolo (Padua), Veneto
- How to get there: from the A31 Rovigo - Piovene Rocchette motorway, take the Longare - Montegaldella exit, take the SP16 and then the SP89 towards Montegrotto Terme
- Contacts: tel. 049/9999300, Abbey of Praglia official website
Ancient Benedictine monastery. It currently counts 49 monks and retains the splendid National Library, Italian national monument. This monastery is famous for its herbalist's shop and restoration workshop for old books. It is possible to take guided tours on the days and times indicated on this page.
9 - Monastery of Santa Croce del Corvo
- Where is it: Via Santa Croce, 30, 19031 Ameglia (La Spezia), Liguria
- How to get there: from Genoa and Parma exit at Sarzana and follow the signs for Bocca di Magra. For those arriving from Florence, exit at Carrara and follow for Ameglia.
- Contacts: tel. 0187/60911, official website of the monastery of Santa Croce del Corvo
This splendid monastery overlooking the sea was founded in 1176 by the will of the Bishop of Luini. Years of clerical struggles, efforts and suppressions followed, until in 1952 it was bought by Cardinal Anastasio Ballestrero which makes it a center of spirituality and hospitality. The Monastery is managed by the Discalced Carmelite Fathers. It is possible to organize conferences and stays with families and groups, and there is a chance to have self-managed spaces. For info see the contact page.
8 - Monastery and Hermitage of Camaldoli
- Where is it: Località Camaldoli, 14, 52014 Camaldoli (Arezzo), Tuscany
- How to get there: A1, Arezzo exit, continue for Casentino-Bibbiena-Cesena and then for Camaldoli
- Contacts: tel. 0575/556013, Camaldoli official website
One lives in this Tuscan monastery community of Benedictine monks, founded by San Romualdo over 1.000 years ago. Solitude and communion these are the two fundamental dimensions of the experience in Camldoli. Availability of hospitality in the monastic community; for info .
7 - Farfa Abbey
- Where is it: Via del Monastero, 1, 02032 Farfa in Sabina (Rieti), Lazio
- How to get there: A1 motorway, Ponzano Romano - Soratte exit. Take SR657 towards Ferruti / Bocchignano
- Contacts: tel. 0765/277065, official website of the Abbey of Farfa
Monastery of Benedictine monks at the time Imperial Abbey and with the control of over 600 churches and monasteries and 130 castles: an enormous power. In 1547 the monastery became part of the Cassinese Congregration. Possibility of monastic welcome, also for large groups. For info contact the monastic secretariat at 0765/277152.
6 - Monastery of Santa Scolastica
- Where is it: Piazzale Santa Scolastica 1, Subiaco (Rome), Lazio
- How to get there: A1 motorway, Vicovaro - Mandela exit. Follow SR5 towards Via dei Monasteri / Subiaco
- Contacts: tel. 0774/82421, official site of the Monastery of Santa Scolastica
We are still in Lazio, this time in Subiaco, in the province of Rome. Originally called the Monastery of San Silvestro, here was the first Italian typography. The Library houses incunabula and books of great value. Over 50 hospitality rooms available.
5 - Monastery of Bose
- Where is it: Cascina Bose, 6, 13887 Magnano (Biella), Piedmont
- How to get there: A4 motorway, Santhià exit. Continue for Cavaglià, then for Cerrione - San Sudario - Magnano
- Contacts: tel. 015/679185, Bose official website
And we come to one of the best known monastic communities, thanks also to its founder and former prior Enzo Bianchi. Let's talk about Bose, in Piedmont. The community hosts monks and nuns of different Christian faiths. Bose is very active inhospitality: for detailed info see the specific page.
4 - Olivetan Abbey of San Nicola
- Where is it: Via Brescia, 25050 Rodengo Saiano (Brescia), Lombardy
- How to get there: A4 motorway, Ospitaletto exit. Follow for Rodengo Saiano
- Contacts: tel. 030/610182
This splendid abbey was founded in the mid th century. come on Cluniac monks, a congregation of the order of St. Benedict. Subsequently subject to the Napoleonic suppressions, in 1969 the abbey returned to Olivetan monks thanks to the interest of Pope Paul VI.
3 - Rosazzo Abbey
- Where is it: Piazza Abbazia, 5, 33044 Manzano (Udine), Friuli-Venezia Giulia
- How to get there: A4 motorway, Palmanova exit. Follow for Manzano and then for Cividale
- Contacts: tel. 0432/759091, official website of the Abbey of Rosazzo
Like many other monasteries and abbeys, here in Rosazzo too the monks had to undergo various vicissitudes over the centuries. Today the monastery is home to a cultural center, and are organized conferences and seminars. For info on hospitality: 334/6268296.
2 - Chiaravalle Abbey
- Where is it: Via Sant'Arialdo, 102, 20139 Milan, Lombardy
- How to get there: Tangenziale Est, exit San Donato Milanese. Follow the signs for the abbey
- Contacts: tel. 02/57403404, official website of the Abbey of Chiaravalle
At the southern gates of Milan is this splendid Abbey, Cistercian monastic complex founded in Twelfth century da Bernard of Clairvaux. The Church is one of the first examples of Gothic architecture in Italy. For lovers of Italian music, this abbey is also known for being the place of the funeral of Giorgio Gaber. Possibility of hospitality for both individuals and groups. For info: foresteriachiaravalle@gmail.com.
1 - Vallombrosa Abbey
- Where is it: Loc. Vallombrosa, 115, 50066 Vallombrosa, Reggello (Florence), Tuscany
- How to get there: A1 motorway, Incisa-Reggello exit. Follow for Vallombrosa
- Contacts: tel. 055/862251
This splendid abbey is surrounded by nature, and in 1950 it became Basilica Minor. The Vallombrosian community erected it around 1200, with further extensions over the following centuries. The whole of the Abbey Church houses important works of art, including a painting by Lorenzo Lippi.
