Discover the Soul of Campania Region

One of the four sites that best represents the soul of the Campania region, let's delve into the richness of history, art, and culture to understand the charm of this region together. The Certosa di San Lorenzo, one of the largest monasteries in Europe, is an extraordinary symbol of Baroque architecture and the first monastic complex established by the Carthusian Order in Campania. 📰 History Construction of the Certosa di San Lorenzo began in 1306. Covering an area of over 50,000 square meters, it is spread across three cloisters, a garden, a courtyard, and a church. The monastery was suppressed during Napoleon's rule, looted, and most of its accumulated treasures were taken. Declared a national monument in 1882, it was abandoned decades later and used as a prison, barracks, and even a school. A lengthy and complex restoration began in 1982, which returned the ancient structure to its original appearance. The church was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. 📖 Charterhouse Library of San Lorenzo Accessible via a spiral stone staircase, the Charterhouse Library consists of a spacious room with 18th-century enameled flooring and a ceiling adorned with large canvases by Leonardo Olivieri, with other mural decorations dating back to 1769. ⛪️ Charterhouse Church of San Lorenzo The history of the Charterhouse Church dates back to 1300, consisting of a nave with a chevet plan topped with cross-ribbed vaults. The current frescoes and gilded stuccowork are typical of Neapolitan Baroque style. The walls of the apse hold 19th-century paintings by Salvator Brancaccio, which replaced the stolen ones. 💐 Abbot's Garden of the Charterhouse of San Lorenzo The apartments of the Abbot of the Charterhouse are spread across ten rooms, just before the spiral stone staircase leading to the library. The apartments also include an 18th-century rectangular cloister characterized by a portico with casket ceilings, walls adorned with landscape murals, and a niche at the back containing a stone sculpture depicting the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child overlooking a fountain. 🏛️ Great Cloister of the Charterhouse of San Lorenzo The great cloister of the monastery covers an area of about 15,000 square meters and is one of the largest cloisters in the world. It is connected by a large and spectacular double elliptical staircase and illuminated by seven large windows. In the center of the cloister stands a huge stone fountain surrounded by two tiers of porticoes with 84 columns featuring round-arched vaults, and reliefs depicting the founders of the religious order, saints, and angels. Visiting Information: Closed on Tuesdays Other times: 9 am - 7:30 pm Admission: 6€ for the monument part + 2€ for the multimedia space introduction part 🎫 Tickets can be purchased on-site Address: Padula, Province of Salerno, Campania Region #Italy #ItalyTravel #ItalyTravelGuide #OffTheBeatenPathTravel #Cloisters #Campania