Italy is where the Rule that shaped Western monasticism was born, and the country bears its mark everywhere: in the Umbrian hills of Franciscan tradition, on the Tuscan heights, and deep into the Alpine valleys of the north. Many communities here have welcomed guests for centuries, with simple hospitality and a liturgical life that remains very much alive.
This page brings together spiritual retreat locations in Italy, kept continuously up to date: type of accommodation, length of stay, and the option to come alone, with a group, or with family.
The Abbazia di Casamari is located in Veroli, in the province of Frosinone (Lazio, Italy). The abbey welcomes priests, religious, and men traveling alone who wish to spend a few days at the rhythm of community life, as well as pilgrims passing through on the Way of Saint Benedict or the Via Francigena del Sud.
In Ferrara, the Benedictine sisters of Sant'Antonio in Polesine welcome a few guests to their monastery, founded in 1257. Visitors come for the silence, prayer with the sisters, and the 14th-century frescoes in their choir.
At the gates of Milan, the Benedictine nuns of Viboldone open their medieval abbey to seekers of God and meaning, for a time of prayer, listening to the Word, and sharing.
10 km from Siena, in a holm oak forest, the Eremo di Lecceto is one of the cradles of the Order of Saint Augustine. Augustinian nuns have lived there since 1972 and welcome those seeking silence and prayer.
The Monastero Madonna dell'Unione de Boschi is located in the municipality of Vicoforte, in the province of Cuneo, in the Piémont region, and belongs to the diocese of Mondovì. The welcoming community belongs to the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists). The monastery welcomes men, women, and groups. It is open to anyone wishing to make a spiritual retreat, particularly those who wish to reflect on the meaning of their lives and deepen their relationship
Located in the province of Siena, at the heart of the Crete Senesi, the Abbazia di Santa Maria di Monte Oliveto Maggiore is the mother house of the Olivetan Benedictine Congregation. A place of great spiritual, artistic, and historical significance, the abbey welcomes men, women, and groups for a Christian spiritual retreat in Tuscany, in keeping with the centuries-old tradition of Benedictine hospitality.
The Benedictine monastery "Ss. Trinità" is located in Lombardy, in the province of Varese, in the municipality of Dumenza, at an altitude of 1,000 meters. It stands at the heart of the forest, in an isolated and silent environment, overlooking Lake Maggiore and the surrounding mountains.
Situé dans la région des Pouilles, à proximité de la célèbre ville blanche d’Ostuni, le Monastero di San Pietro est une communauté de moniales bénédictines qui accueille toute personne en quête de silence, de prière et de ressourcement intérieur. Le monastère propose des retraites spirituelles chrétiennes à Ostuni, ouvertes aux groupes comme aux personnes seules.
Camaldoli Monastery is located in Tuscany, in a pristine mountain setting, about 70 km from Florence and 40 km from Arezzo, on the slopes of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines. The monastery has a large monastic guest house that welcomes people seeking to experience a spiritual retreat, personal time of silence, or participation in activities offered by the community.
Le monastère des Carmélites déchaussées de Lodi, en Lombardie (Italie), est une communauté contemplative accueillant des jeunes femmes souhaitant vivre une retraite spirituelle chrétienne dans un cadre de silence, de prière et de recueillement.
Discover Valserena, a Cistercian monastery located in Tuscany, near Pisa and Volterra. It offers a haven of peace for individual spiritual retreats, centered on prayer and silence. The monastery offers handcrafted products and is ideal for contemplation and renewal.
In Lazio, in the heart of Italy, Montecassino Abbey opens its doors to you! A major Benedictine monastic site, it is a haven of peace and history, ideal for a spiritual retreat lived to the rhythm of the offices and silence.
The Abbey of Saints Peter and Andrew of Novalesa is located in the Susa Valley, just below the French border at the Mont-Cenis pass. A small community of Benedictine monks leads a life of prayer, work, and hospitality for those seeking peace and meaning in their journey.
For over a century, the French-speaking Poor Clares from Paray have made their home in the city of Saint Clare, in Assisi. Overlooking the old city, their gardens and guest house await you for a restorative retreat, following in the footsteps of their foundress and Saint Francis.
In the heart of historic Rome, the Saint-Joseph guest house at Trinité-des-Monts welcomes everyone in a setting that invites rest and peace of body and spirit.
