THE WAY OF ST BENEDICT ( in english and italian) This tour comes from the need of joining the most important steps of St Benedict’s in region Lazio and the route we have mapped out is becoming more and more popular. In six days you will discover a really surprising Italy with its villages and places where St Benedict spent his days.
DAY 1: TRANSFER APT/HOTEL Arrival and Transfer to the Hotel. Hotel accommodation. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 2: SUBIACO Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Subiaco, a place where spirituality, history, art and nature combine to form a single thing. St Benedict of Nursia came there at the end of the V century experiencing the monastic life that characterized his “Rule” and that found its fulfillment in Montecassino. Meet the guide and visit the Monastery of St Benedict ( Sacro Speco ), defined the “gateway to paradise” by the Italian poet Petrarch. It lies against the rocky wall of Mount Taleo in an idyllic position overlooking the holy valley (Valle Santa). Continue to the Monastery of Santa Scolastica. It is the oldest monastery that has remained of the thirteen built by St Benedict. The bell tower and cloister are of particular beauty. Free lunch. In the afternoon visit the Convent of St Francis and its bridge. The convent was built in a typical Franciscan style and houses valuable frescoes by Sodoma and a beautiful Nativity Scene by a pupil of Pinturicchio.
DAY 3: COLLEPARDO-VEROLI ( CASAMARI ) passing FUMONE Breakfast and departure for Collepardo. This name comes from the ancient Latin “collis arduus” which means a “place that is not easily accessible”. This place represents a gateway to the Valley of Era and a starting point for excursions to Ernici Mountains. They are rich in vegetation , caves and springs since the dawn of monasticism and were both a destination and a way for religious people who retired to contemplative life and Hermeticism. Meet the guide and visit the Charterhouse of Trisulti (825 metres). Standing in a panoramic position, the charterhouse is considered to be one of the most beautiful monasteries in Central Italy. It was founded in 1204 by the Carthusians by the will of Pope Innocent III. The Charterhouse houses a pharmacy that originated from the needs of the friars who were far away from the town centre. They harvested medicinal herbs which were regularly checked by the apothecary of Santo Spirito Hospital of Rome. According to him, the pharmacy of the convent was well stocked with drugs and medicaments although this was quite unusual at the time. Visit the mystic Grotto of Madonna delle Cese where, according to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to a pious hermit leaving her image impressed on a stone that was later removed and preserved in the Charterhouse of Trisulti. Lunch at a typical medieval tavern in Fumone. Located in an isolated position, it has preserved its severe charm as well as its medieval buildings. This place played an important role during the imprisonment of Celestine V, the Pope of the Great Refusal. Fumone is a place full of charm and mystery and will represent a pleasant stop before continuing our way of St Benedict. We will welcomed by people in traditional costumes of Ciociaria who will also entertain us during lunch. After lunch continue to the Abbey of Casamari, a Cistercian abbey of gothic charm where you will breath the air of Burgundy and understand why it fascinates monasteries and churches across the Alps. This is considered a masterpiece in terms of Gothic – Cistercian Architecture. Guided visit. Return to the Hotel dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: Veroli “ The Holy Stair “ and the Monastry of St Erasmo Breakfast and departure for Veroli, one of the allies of Rome. Meet up the guide and start the tour of this beautiful medieval village. In the Church of St. Salomé you will see a holy stair with its 12 steps. It is believed that the 11th step preserves a relic of the Holy Cross. The tradition wants St. Salome as the mother of the two Apostles , St. James and St John the Evangelist. Lunch at the Monastry of St Erasmus that nowadays is an “ Albergo Diffuso* . According to the tradition, St. Benedict of Norcia during his journey from Subiaco to Montecassino, stopped for some time in Veroli. Here, on the remains of a place of pagan cult, he founded the oratory and the monastery of St. Erasmus. On the outside of the church you can admire even today the roman apsis and arcade. “ From the terrace of the Monastry you’ ll enjoy a fantastic panoramic view on the landscape of this incredible territory south of Rome. After lunch continue to Sora and visit the Cistercian Abbey of St. Domenico built in 1011 over the ruins of the native Villa of Marco Tullio Cicerone. Continue with some shopping or some relax in Sora a very nice town surroundend by the mountains. Return to the Hotel, dinner and overnight. * The “albergo diffuso” is conceived as a hotel that is not in a single block, but converted out of various historic buildings in a small community. It is run directly by an individual owner and provides hotel – standard services to all guests. This kind of accommodation is “made in Italy” which is also a regional tourism development by respecting the environment and being “sustainable” in order to make a solid contribution to depopulation of villages and re-evaluate their stunning beauty . It can be seen as part of a genuine community so that guests can be part of local life. Day 5: Roccasecca “ Hermitage of the Holy Spirit “ Breakfast and departure for Roccasecca. Meeting with the guide and stroll of about 20 minutes to reach the Hermitage of the Holy Spirit – Hermitage of the Holy Spirit (climbing is easy, but comfortable shoes are recommended, better if of trekking-type). Nestled in a narrow recess of the rocky wall of the Melfa Gorges – a magical place of which then you will enjoy the pleasure of the primitive nature – the oldest part of the settlement dates back to the eighth – ninth century and consists of the caves with the monk’s cells organised around a common environment used for functions. Continue to the ancient borgo of Roccasecca and visit the Church of St. Thomas D’ Aquino which has been the first Church build in honour of the saint between 1323 and 1325. Thomas came from the estate of the noble family of the Counts Aquino and the ancient County of Aquino is nowadays Roccasecca, the Catholic Church consider him the “ Doctor Angelicus “. Of remarkable charme are the ruins of the Castle. Lunch in a Typical restaurant. After lunch free time to explore the borgo. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 6: The Abbey of Montecassino Breakfast and departure for Montecassino to visit the Abbey of Montecassino, one of the most known Abbey in the world. In 529 Saint Benedict chose this mountain to build a monastery that would host him and those monks following him on the way from Subiaco. Paganism was still present here, but he managed to turn the place into a well-structured Christian monastery where everybody could have the dignity they deserved through praying and working. Within the centuries the Abbey has met magnificence and destruction many times and in February 1944, during the II World War a bombardment almost flatted it. Guided visit including the oldest area not open to the public and the Museum if it’ s open ( it depends on the seasons ). Lunch in a very beautiful location in Castrocielo. On the way back we’ll do a short stop at the Church of Santa Maria della Libera in Aquino a pure example of the Romanesque architecture. Return to the Hotel, dinner and overnight.
DAY 7: Departure Breakfast and departure for the airport. End of services.
Net Price p.p. € 748,00 (double room accommodation – based on 25 participants) Net Price p.p € 843,00 ( double room accommodation – based on 15 participants ) Price includes: • Transfer from/to the airport • Air conditioned bus • 3*Hotel Accomodation • HB Treatment • Lunches as indicated, in typical selected tavernas/restaurants • Guided visits with licensed personnel as indicated • Tickets Entrance as indicated • Assistance 24h with an english/italian tour leader
Price doesn’t include: • Lunch, day one • Personal extras at the hotel • Use of the swimming pool of the Hotel ( about € 8,00 per day to reconfirm ) • Extras in general • Anything not mentioned at the entry “Price includes“ On Request: • Ensurance The same tour in possible with a 4*Star SPA Hotel Accomodation too
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