THE SANTUARY

The sanctuary of La Verna is located in the Tuscan Apennines. The mountain, covered by a monumental forest of beech and fir trees, is visible from all over the Casentino and from the upper Val Tiberina and has an unmistakable shape with its summit (1283 m) cut down from the peak by three parts. Above the rock and surrounded by the forest is the large complex of the Sanctuary that inside its massive and articulated architecture contains many treasures of spirituality, art, culture and history.

In the summer of 1224 Saint Francis retired to Mount Verna for his usual periods of silence and prayer. During his stay he asked God to be able to participate with all his being in the Passion of Christ, a mystery of love and pain. The Lord listened to him and appeared to him in the form of a crucified seraphim, giving him the seals of his passion. Francis thus also became outwardly the image of Christ to whom he already resembled with his heart and life.

The event of the stigmata and the example of life are the most precious good that Francis delivers to the friars of La Verna. The challenging legacy of Saint Francis, in addition to involving each friar personally, also becomes the main message that the community wishes to convey to all those who visit La Verna.

For more information on what to visit, please visit:  La Verna - Santuario Francescano