La Verna, Italy: Where St. Francis received the Stigmata
About La Verna:
One of the most important sites to followers of Saint Francis is this small monastery located about 70 miles north of Assisi. The mountain known as La Verna was given to Saint Francis as a gift in 1213 and it was here that a small chapel was built in 1218, and named Our Lady of the Angels in response to a vision given to Saint Francis in which the Blessed Virgin Mary indicated not only the site where it was to be built, but the dimensions as well.
In 1224, concerned over some changes made in the Franciscan Friars Minor, Saint Francis came back to La Verna to pray and fast. During this time, Saint Francis received the Stigmata (the wounds of Christ).
Here in the Chapel of the Wounds you will see the rock upon which Saint Francis was sitting when he received the Stigmata (under glass in front of the altar). Groups traveling with a priest can celebrate mass here.
There are also several small chapels conducive to prayer and meditation.
A visit here can be truly inspirational and we urge you to include it if you are traveling independently. Some groups stop here, but others do not.
Be aware there are not many English-speaking people at La Verna so it would be well to read up on it before you visit so that you can understand everything that you are seeing.
There is a guest house here, and if you can, we suggest at least one night there. Additional facilities are available for groups of 20 or more. You will need to make reservations in advance, and chances are no one there speaks English.
Traveling to La Verna:
If you are traveling independently then it can be reached by car, bus or train. The nearby town of Bibbiena is about 6 miles from here, and would by the closest you can get by train and then you can take a bus from there. Get train & bus schedules, see fares & buy tickets here.
Address: Via del Santuario, 45, Chiusi della Verna AR, Italy
GPS coordinates: 43° 42′ 26.1648” N, 11° 55′ 51.1572” E
Tel: +39 0575 5341
e-mail: la.verna1213@gmail.com
Click here for the official website of the Sanctuary of LaVerna. (opens in new window). It is in Italian, so use the Google Translate button. Some really nice photos on this site, be sure to check them out.
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