Santa Maria dell'Isola Monastery, Benedictine monastery on a rocky outcrop in Tropea, Italy
The monastery structure stands on a high limestone cliff, connected to the mainland and featuring a combination of medieval and renaissance architectural elements.
The religious complex originated as a hermitage in the 6th century, later transforming into a Benedictine monastery under Norman rule during the 11th century.
The monastery contains a Byzantine portrait of the Virgin Mary and hosts an annual festival on August 15th when the Madonna arrives by sea.
Visitors need to climb multiple stone steps to reach the monastery, where entry to the church is free but the museum requires an admission fee.
The building occupies what was once an island, which became connected to the mainland through natural sediment accumulation over several centuries.
Location: Tropea
GPS coordinates: 38.67774,15.89516
Latest update: May 13, 2025 13:54
Italy contains historical sites away from regular destinations. Cliffs host villages, ancient ruins mark the landscape and monasteries hide in nature. Underground Roman houses, cave churches with frescoes and medieval gardens document history. The architecture and culture of different periods unite at each location.
Cathedral of Tropea
302 m
Spiaggia Santa Maria dell'Isola
310 m
Spiaggia di Tropea
382 m
Spiaggia di Formicoli
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Spiaggia Di Riaci
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Spiaggia della Rotonda
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Lido La Grazia
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Curch Michelizia
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Chiesa dell’Annunziata
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Civic museum of the sea
229 m
Castello Galluppi di Caria
3.5 km
Artistic Creations The Lighthouse
252 m
Spiaggia del Cannone
594 m
Immacolata
960 m
Spiaggia l'Occhiale
1.5 km
Diocesan museum of Tropea
280 m
Mare Piccolo
247 m
Mura cittadine
323 m
Chiesa di Santa Domenica Vergine e Martire
2.8 km
Spiaggia Vardanello
2 km
Chiesa di San Paolo Apostolo
4.1 km
Chiesa del Santo Rosario
37 m
San Francesco d’Assisi
431 m
Santuario della Madonna di Portosalvo
2.7 km
War memorial in Tropea
199 m
Raccolta Archivio Toraldo di Francia
204 m
Town hall of Parghelia
2.6 km
Spiaggia del Convento
453 mReviews
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