The cloister is surrounded by 84 columns and features an elaborate fountain.
The monastery’s kitchens were designed to be massive to support the needs of the monks and the internal community.
It is the only Carthusian monastery in the Vallo di Diano region.
The complex covers an area of over 50,000 square meters.
During the Napoleonic period, the monastery was suppressed and the monks were expelled.
The spiral staircase built in 1761 is considered a masterpiece of 18th-century engineering.
The cellars were once capable of housing large wine barrels to support the monastic economy.
The Certosa di San Lorenzo in Padula is the largest monastery in Italy and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded in 1306, the current structure primarily showcases an expansive Baroque architectural style. It features one of the largest cloisters in the world, measuring approximately 12,000 square meters. The complex includes a monumental staircase designed by Gaetano Barba, which connects the ground floor to the upper levels. It houses the Provincial Archaeological Museum of Lucania, which exhibits artifacts from the Vallo di Diano area. The site served as a Carthusian monastery for centuries, emphasizing silence and isolation. Visitors can explore the kitchens, cellars, chapel, and the extensive library. Its architecture serves as a primary example of monastic influence in Southern Italy.
The center of the Great Cloister, capturing the symmetry of the columns and the surrounding landscape.
Bring comfortable walking shoes to navigate the extensive stone-paved courtyards and multiple levels.
Visit on a weekday to avoid the increased local traffic from weekend educational tours.
Carry a light jacket as the thick masonry walls keep the interior temperatures cooler than the outdoor summer heat.
Attempting to see the entire site in under an hour, as the sheer size makes rushing unproductive.
Closed on Tuesdays.
Shoulders and knees must be covered as it is a site of religious heritage; remain quiet while in the cloister and chapel areas.
