Convent de Le Celle, Cortona, Franciscan convent in Cortona, Italy
Convent de Le Celle stands on terraces along a mountainside near Cortona, with stone buildings nestled among holly oak and cypress trees. The complex includes a church, individual monk cells, and spaces for communal life and work.
Saint Francis established the hermitage here in 1211 as a place where monks could pray in solitude. The site was later expanded to provide shelter and space for more brothers to live and work together.
The church houses carved wood altars and paintings by notable artists that reflect the veneration of Saint Francis and his spiritual teachings. These artworks shape how visitors experience the sacred space today.
Wear sturdy shoes since pathways are steep and stony with natural surfaces throughout the year. The layout is straightforward to navigate, but the uphill walk requires physical effort, especially during warm weather.
The buildings follow the natural hillside contours and are linked by small stone bridges that cross a stream flowing through the valley. This practical approach reveals how the early inhabitants respected the landscape and adapted to it.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
