CERTOSA DI SERRA SAN BRUNO

The Carthusian monastery of Serra San Bruno stands out against the dark background of a centuries-old coniferous wood, about 1 km south of the town. It is the first monastery of the Carthusian order in Italy (founded in 1091) and the second in the world, after the Grande Chartreuse de Grenoble. The earthquake of 1783 spared only part of the Renaissance facade of the church and the 17th century cloister, as well as the surrounding wall with its cylindrical corner towers (15th century). Next to these remains are the modern chapel of San Bruno and the new Carthusian monastery built in 1900 in a style imitating French Gothic. If the latter cannot be visited, the ruins of the old Carthusian monastery seduce by the peaceful atmosphere that emanates from the site. The secluded place is imbued with silence and meditation, reflecting the way of life of the few brothers who still live there. Each one of them owns a small house and an area of cultivable land. Monday, the only day they go out, is the only time they can be seen, meditating in the woods. The Carthusian monastery museum tells the story of the religious complex with the reconstruction of certain spaces. We also discover the history of order and the daily life of the Carthusian monks. Finally, there are some works of art, including a copy of the silver reliquary bust of Saint Bruno; the original, made by the Neapolitan school in 1516, is kept in the Carthusian monastery church.