Santuario della Verna
Franciscan sanctuary on Mount La Verna, where Saint Francis received the stigmata in 1224, with Robbian terracottas and a free-entry museum of sacred art.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The sanctuary stands on Mount La Verna, in Chiusi della Verna, within the Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi. According to tradition, in the summer of 1224 Saint Francis of Assisi withdrew here to pray and in the silence had the vision of a crucified seraph and received the marks of the Passion; the event is recounted by Saint Bonaventure in the Legenda maior. The place has been kept by the Friars Minor for eight centuries.
Within the complex are the glazed terracottas of Andrea della Robbia, which decorate chapels, altars and walls. The museum occupies spacious 15th-century rooms of the former convent and holds illuminated choir books of the 15th century, monastic art, liturgical furnishings, vestments and paintings, including a polychrome wooden crucifix and a ceramic bust attributed to Andrea della Robbia; one room is devoted to the convent’s old pharmacy and herbal laboratory. The route ends in the “Fuoco comune”, the most characteristic room, which recalls the communal life of the friars.
Highlights
- Chapel of the Stigmata
- Glazed terracottas by Andrea della Robbia
- Museum with illuminated 15th-century choir books and sacred art
- Room of the old pharmacy and herbal laboratory
- “Fuoco comune”, the room of the friars’ communal life
- Landscape of the Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi
Permanent exhibition
- Museo del Santuario – Illuminated choir books, monastic art, liturgical furnishings, vestments, paintings, works attributed to Andrea della Robbia and the convent pharmacy room.
- Operated by
- Frati Minori
- Visitors per year
- approx. 50,000
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission to the sanctuary, the Chapel of the Stigmata and the museum.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
By train from Florence to Arezzo and from Arezzo to Bibbiena; then by bus from Bibbiena to Chiusi della Verna and on foot to the sanctuary.
By car from the north: A1 towards Ancona, then A14 as far as Cesena Nord, SS3bis/E45 as far as Pieve Santo Stefano Nord and SP 208 to Chiusi della Verna; alternatively A1 exit Firenze Sud, then Pontassieve, Consuma, Poppi and Bibbiena. From the south: A1 exit Orte, SS204 and SS675 towards Cesena, E45 as far as Pieve Santo Stefano Sud and SP 208; or A1 exit Arezzo and SS71 as far as Bibbiena.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
“Mensa del Pellegrino” (pilgrims’ refectory), open all year, with simple meals and booking possible; guesthouse; ticket office with a religious bookshop, religious objects, items from the Holy Land and local products. Large picnic area outside.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours of 45–60 minutes for groups of at least 15–20 people, with an explanation of history and art and, on request, a meeting with a friar or nun; booking via the form on the website, in Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese or another language. Tour times: on weekdays at 9:00, 11:45, 15:45 and 17:00; on public holidays at 9:00, 12:00, 15:45 and 17:30. |
