Monte Carmelo, Carmelite convent in Loano, Italy.

Monte Carmelo is a Carmelite convent in Loano with a church built in the shape of a Latin cross and topped by an octagonal dome. The bell tower rises prominently above the complex and shapes the overall appearance of the religious compound.

Gianandrea Doria founded the convent in 1602, with work beginning on 13 September to a design by the architect Rembado; his son Andrea II Doria completed it on 22 March 1609. Two General Chapters met there between 1623 and 1626 and decided to build a convent in Prague. Suppressed by Napoleon in 1810 and again by the Savoy between 1855 and 1866, it was re-established in 1833 and bought back by the Doria in 1874, who finally handed it to the friars in 1935.

The church holds early 17th-century canvases by Domenico Cresti (called il Passignano), Giovanni Battista Paggi and Francesco Vanni. A visitor can also see a wooden processional group of the Virgin of Mount Carmel by Anton Maria Maragliano, carved in the 18th century, and a 15th-century crucifix.

The convent is open daily, but it is best to check opening hours in advance as they may vary seasonally. Since this is an active religious community, visitors should be respectful of worship times and ongoing monastic activities.

The convent's summer palace of the Doria family, with its defensive tower, stands west of the church and is now used as private homes and studios. Two wide, scenographic ramps, one from the east and one from the west, lead up into the monastic complex.