The monastery of Camaldoli,
founded in the 11th century by Saint Romualdo, has always been a great
centre for the diffusion of spirituality and culture.
Situated inside the age-old forests of Casentino that the monks tended and
protected, the complex consists of monastery, church and lodge.
The cloisters and the Church of St. Donnino and Ilariano, with their
beautiful paintings by Vasari, are wonderful works of art. On one side of
the monastery there is the ancient chemist's shop with alembics, mortars,
stoves, and precious manuscripts coming from the galenical laboratory of
the monks. They still produce liqueurs, essences, cream and honey.
Higher up and just a few
kilometres away is the striking hermitage:
encircled by high beeches, wide surrounding walls contain the triumph of
17th century stuccoes of a church and 20 humble cells where the monks of
today still lead a cloistered life and grow vegetables and flowers.
The cells can only be admired through a grill, although it is possible to
visit the one in which Saint Romualdo lived.
* A visit to
La Verna can be made in this area
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