Franciscan Sanctuary of La Verna
A sacred mountain at 1,283 metres where Saint Francis of Assisi received the stigmata in 1224, now home to chapels, artworks and pilgrims seeking contemplation.
At a glance
La Verna rises in the heart of the Casentino valley, within the Casentinesi Forests national park near Arezzo. The sanctuary occupies the southern part of Mount Penna at 1,128 metres. Built around the site of Francis’s spiritual experience, it contains multiple chapels, prayer spaces and medieval and Renaissance artworks that accumulated over eight centuries. A functioning Franciscan convent welcomes pilgrims and guests year-round.
History
In 1213, Count Orlando Catani of Chiusi della Verna donated the remote mountain to Saint Francis, recognising its spiritual potential. Francis visited and received the stigmata—the five wounds of Christ—on 14 September 1224, cementing La Verna’s place in Christian devotion. The site became known as the “Seraphic Calvary.” Over subsequent centuries, the community erected chapels and commissioned artworks to honour this event. In August 1921, Pope Benedict XV elevated the church to the rank of a minor basilica, formalising its ecclesiastical importance.
What you see
The sanctuary comprises numerous chapels and oratories distributed across the mountainside, connected by stone pathways and steps. Medieval and Renaissance artworks—paintings, frescoes and sculptures—decorate the interior spaces. The basilica church itself stands as the focal point, its architecture reflecting centuries of Franciscan tradition and artistic patronage. The convent buildings, adapted over time, maintain their austere character appropriate to monastic life.
Cultural significance
La Verna represents one of Catholicism’s most sacred sites outside Rome. The stigmata—Francis’s mystical experience—marks a pivotal moment in medieval spirituality and remains central to Franciscan identity. The sanctuary embodies the order’s commitment to poverty, contemplation and solitude. Its artistic treasures, accumulated through centuries of pilgrimage and patronage, reflect the intersection of faith and Renaissance creativity in Tuscan religious culture.
Key facts
- Location: Via del Santuario della Verna, 45, 52010 Chiusi della Verna, Arezzo
- Coordinates: 43.69414376156247, 11.816766858100891
- Altitude: 1,128 metres (Mount Penna); sanctuary at 1,283 metres
- Key date: 14 September 1224 (stigmata); August 1921 (basilica status)
- Phone: +39 0575 5341
- Website: https://www.laverna.it/
Practical information
The sanctuary operates as both a pilgrimage destination and Franciscan convent. Guest accommodation is available for individuals, families and groups seeking retreat or spiritual renewal. Hours and booking details are available on the official website. Check ahead for seasonal variations and special liturgical observances.
Getting there
La Verna lies a few kilometres from Chiusi della Verna in the province of Arezzo, within the Casentinesi Forests national park. The nearest major town is Bibbiena. You can reach the sanctuary by car via Via del Santuario della Verna or on foot via marked mountain trails. The website provides detailed directions and parking information.
Sources & resources
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