Il santuario di Montevergine è un complesso monastico mariano di Mercogliano e al suop interno è venerato il quadro della Madonna di Montevergine. La storia del santuario di Montevergine è strettamente legata alla figura di Guglielmo da Vercelli. Su questo santuario sono state conservate anticamente anche le ossa di San Gennaro fino al giorno poi della traslazione a Napoli. L'unica cosa come sempre è la presenza di bancarelle che distolgono la spiritualità che si dovrebbe vivere. Affascinante è l'antica funicolare che collega Mercogliano al Santuario in soli 7 minuti. Per arrivare in Santuario in auto bisogna affrontare molti tornanti logicamente tutti in salita.
“Santuario della Madonna di Montevergine” or “Sanctuary di Montevergine” or “Monastery of Monte Vergine” is way off the beaten path for most Americans to find. This is a popular place to visit for the Italian visitors. The monastery is above the town of Mercogliano. These are lot of legends about how this came to be. Some say It was founded in 1118 AD by San Guglielmo da Vercelli, while other put the date 1128. The building been going on ever since.Visiting here is a traditional pilgrimage for many Italians. The best time to visit is by what you want to see. The Fall the area is beautiful, the Spring allows you to visit the Monastery (Abby) with little crowds. The month of August is the most popular. There are shops open by the Monastery in Late July and August. The drive up to the Monastery is a lot of switchbacks. I drove it almost everyday for 2 years, so it is not that bad. If you go in the summer I would suggest the funicular from town, it only takes 7 minutes, and is one of the neatest rides you can take.If you drive up, there is a neat restaurant half way up. Also if you drive up (and you have a tougher little car) you can drive up to “Peace Valley” which is a great area for a picnic. Drive through the parking lot, there is a small road, when you go through the tunnel take the first left. Let me say again, this is not a road for the weak of heart, it is pot holes and some rough spots.The history of this place is way cool. The different pilgrimages going to here is cool. Over the last 20 years, a popular Gay one is occurring because of a legend of the Mother Mary saving a gay couple there. Another legend that that if you are a virgin and have relationship on the hill, you will leave the mountain still a virgin.So why would an American on a 10 day Italian vacation take a day to see this neat place. Located above the monastery for over 30+ years was a small United States Air Force Base that housed the 2181 Communication Squadron (2181 CS) part of the 2187 Communication Group. The base is gone, only cement pads still exist, but for hundreds of America GIs, this was home.If you are in Naples, and have a rental car, make the drive to Mercogliano, and go up to the Monastery.Good LuckCoach
Well you can not visit this area and not go and see the beautiful church, there is an area where you can look through the years at people who have given their thanks. The views are unbelievable.
The long curvy drive is well worth it! Beautiful views, beautiful church, peaceful and inspiring. There is a World Wildlife Fund Wildlife Sanctuary at the top of the mountain. There is also a walking path up the mountain.It was rainy and cold when we went so there were not many people but we have been before and it can get pretty crowded. There are two small gift shops. Not many signs/information in English. It is well worth the visit though if you are in the area.On the way down the mountain there is a bazaar area with stalls that sell fruits, meats, torrone etc.. The bazaar however was not open on our visit this time. But it is best to skip the Torrone stalls there anyway because we know the best Torrone shop in all of Italy which is right near there. We discovered it on our last trip to Italy and we were happy that our driver could help us find it again it this time as we headed down Montevergine. It is Torronificio del Casale. It is a family business. It has the very best Torrone and friendly service. The shop is small but soooooo delicious. If you go to Montevergine, you MUST stop at Torronificio del Casale too!
I was very excited to visit the land of origin of my family, during these visits, I also met this beautiful monastery.This place, not so far from the city of Avellino, is a place very important and popular for the italian chatolic people, is a place of peace and quitnes,s where it is not difficult to stay relaxed and to think, the view is magnificent but the road to get it is not good.
Un posto immerso nel verde incastonato nella montagna con una vista meravigliosa. All'interno del Santuario c'è un museo molto interessante da vedere con tanti presepi che rappresentano tutto il mondo e tante altre cose.Davanti al Santuario c'è un ampio parcheggio.
Santuario noto nella zona, consiglio la visita ai credenti e ai non credenti. ..ne vale comunque la pena. Fuori attrezzata area Pic Nic. Consigliatissima
Fantastic views from this skytop monastry. Very important the Black Madonna painting nad remarkable rooms of votive items. Grounds not well kept and poor souvenirs shops.
Un vero e proprio spettacolo. Il Santuario di Montevergine è qualcosa di davvero suggestivo. Quando poi è inverno ed il paesaggio è completamente innevato è uno vero e proprio spettacolo della natura.
impressive church, interesting museum especially thee nativity tableaux, great views, scary road. It's a place of pilgrimage and devotion rather than a tourist attraction. You need a good vehicle to get any further up the mountain and into the national park.