The province of Arezzo is well-known for its superb religious monuments.
The monastery of La Verna is the shrine of a world-wide scale. It was founded by the successors of St. Francis Assisi. At present the shrine embodies an architectural complex which includes basilica, a small church of St. Mary of the Angels (Santa Maria degli Angeli) and the Chapel of the Stigmata, “Birds’ Chapel”, where according to the legend the birds were listening to Assisi, St. Francis cave and his first cell and many other places, which keep the memory of the ascetic and his successors.
Camaldoli monastery was founded around X-XI cent. by Romuald who led an ascetic way of life and had an outstanding reputation. His followers created Camaldoli order. The monastery was hidden in the thick forest and its location fully corresponds to an ascetic way of life of its monks. The ancient chemist’s of the monastery offers not only medicinal herbs but also fine liquor made by the local monks.
The most important church of Alto Casentino is Pieve di Romena in Pratovecchio town. Its sophisticated frescoes and graceful architecture won’t leave you indifferent.
