The abbey was originally founded in 1026 by Benedictine monks on the site of a former castle.
The subterranean level, known as the 'Abbey of the Dead,' was historically used for burials and later as a shelter during WWII.
It contains a painting of Saint Michael the Archangel by Luca Giordano, a prominent Baroque master.
The abbey library holds manuscripts dating back to the 16th century, documenting the ecclesiastical history of the Flegrean Islands.
The current bell tower was part of the original medieval fortifications designed to monitor the sea for Saracen incursions.
The Abbazia di San Michele Arcangelo is a historic Benedictine abbey located at the highest point of Procida, within the fortified village of Terra Murata. Founded in the 11th century and rebuilt in the 16th century, the site served as a vital defensive bastion against pirate raids. The structure houses a significant collection of religious art, including 17th and 18th-century Neapolitan paintings. Visitors can access a complex subterranean network of tunnels and caves that were used as air-raid shelters during World War II. The abbey church features a wooden ceiling decorated with the coat of arms of the Procida municipality and depictions of Saint Michael the Archangel. It remains an active religious site while functioning as a cultural repository for the island’s maritime history.
The terrace wall immediately outside the abbey gates provides a clear, elevated view down into the colorful houses of Marina Corricella.
Ensure you visit the lower levels, as the history of the subterranean shelters is often the most compelling part of the tour.
Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the climb to Terra Murata involves steep, uneven cobblestone paths.
Take time to walk the perimeter of the Terra Murata walls for panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples.
Do not attempt the walk to the abbey in flip-flops or open-toed sandals due to the steep incline of the historic village streets.
Frequently closed on Mondays; often subject to reduced hours during the winter off-season.
Modest dress is required; shoulders and knees must be covered as it is an active religious site.
