La Verna in Casentino March 6, 2015 22:26

Spirituality and Nature at the Franciscan Sanctuary

I visited the Sanctuary of La Verna for the first time as a boy: our school organized a retreat in this Franciscan monastery for a few days. At that time it was just a vacation, but I was still impressed by the beauty and peaceful quiet of the place. During the years I've visited it many times to experience the peace and quiet at least for a day immersed in the setting of the sanctuary, enjoying the nature all around. I think it's a very special place where you can get in touch with yourself.

La Verna is one of the places where St. Francis is venerated and even on a short visit you can get a sense of its artistic cultural, historical and religious interest.

The Sanctuary is located on Mount Penna (also called Mount of La Verna) above Chiusi della Verna in the province of Arezzo. Together with Camaldoli, it represents the main spiritual and religious site in Casentino. Every year, La Verna is visited by numerous visitors (Christians and not) because St.Francis is one of the most adored saints worldwide as well as Italy's Patron Saint.

A brief history

The Mount of La Verna was donated to St. Francis in 1213 by Count Orlando Cattani of Chiusi of La Verna. The count described the mount as a perfect and ideal place for contemplation amidst nature: "I have in Tuscany a faithful mount that is named Mount of La Vernia, which is really isolated and wild and perfect for those who want to do penance in a remote place or to those who want to live in solitude. If you would like it I will give it to you and your followers for my soul's safety".

An hermitage was founded on the mount and became the favorite site for Francis and his followerss for spending long periods of meditation and prayer. Francis' last stay at La Verna was in 1224 when he was already tired and ill. During this time, while he was absorbed in praying, he had a vision and received the stigmata that he carried until his death two years later.

Tour of the Sanctuary

Coming in the ancient door you enter a small portico that shelters the entrances to the guest quarters, to the cloisters and to the small church of Santa Maria degli Angeli - St. Mary of the Angels.
Climbing up a few steps you arrive at the Quadrante (Dial), the large paved square where you access all of the main areas of the Sanctuary. The large square took its name from the sundial engraved on the Bell's Tower of the Basilica: "if the sun looks at me I'll show you the time". A big wooden cross overlooks the Casentino valley - it's located at 1228 mt above sea level and you can admire a breathtaking panorama of the valley below.
From the Quadrante you can enjoy a wide-ranging sight of the monastery as well: the Basilica with its bell tower surrounded by the portico and the small chapel of Santa Maria degli Angeli. The monastery's stoned roofs with funny-shaped chimneys built by the friars, the well which sated the thirst of guests and pilgrims. Today if you need to cool down, you can use the small fountain at the base of the wooden cross.

Homepage : www.laverna.it