1st Day – Abbays along the Chienti Valley: Abbadia di Fiastra, Abbazia di San Claudio and Abbazia di Santa Maria Piè al Chienti
Going up the Valley of Chienti river, you will reach at the natural reserve of Abbadia di Fiastra, where in 1142 the cistercian monks arrived and built the complex of the Abbay of Santa Maria di Chiaravalle, one of the best preserved monestry in Italy. The Church in Romanesque-cistercian style is grandiose and solemn, composed by three naves and Romanesque cruciform pillars carved by the monks with stones from the near ancient Roman town “Urbis Salvia”. The monastry preserves a marvellous cloister, the chapter house where the monks read chapeters of the Rules of Saint Benedict and the Refectory. Short transfer to Corridonia and visit at San Claudio al Chienti Abbay, a great example of Romanesque architecture in the Marche region. The building is composted by two superimposed churches and has an impressive facade framed with two cylindrical towers. Then you will reach the Abbay of Santa Maria Pie di Chieti, in Romanesque style, wanted, according to the legend, by Charlemagne in memory of the victory over the Saracens. Its existence is documended as early as 936 and is identified in many researches as the palatine chapel of the imperial palace of Aachen. Transfer to the hotel, dinner and overnight.
2nd Day – Loreto, the Marian town. Osimo and the Santuary of San Giuseppe da Copertino
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Loreto for the visit of the beautiful Basilica della Santa Casa, which preserves the Holy House of Nazareth where the Vergin Mary received the Annunciation and, according to the tradition, it arrived in Loreto carried in flight by angels; for this reason she is the patron saint of pilots. Inside the Basilica you will admire also the amazing Pomarancio room decorated with frescoes and gilded inlays. Visit at the Museo Pontificio della Santa Casa which has collected over the centuries testimonies of devotion such as collections of majolica, tapestries and sacred paraments, together with some masterpieces of Lorenzo Lotto. Free time to partecipate at the Holy Mass. Lunch at restaurant. In the afternoon transfer to Osimo, the ancient Auzimum, and visit at the Cathedral of San Leopardo and Santa Tecla, one of the most beautiful example of gothic romanesque architecture in Marche region, build in white stone and with a splendid Crypt, created to preserve the relics of the first martyrs and holy bishops from Osimo. Important place of pilgrimage is the Sanctuary of San Giuseppe da Copertino. The Church was originally dedicated to Saint Francis from Assisi who visited the town in 1220. After the beatification of the monk, the Church was named after San Giuseppe da Copertino, known also as the Saint of flights because he lifted miraculously during moments of ecstasy and he is also the protector of students The body of the Saint is guarded in the Crypt and the near monastery preserves the original rooms where he lived from 1657 till 1663 and the oratory where he celebreted the Holy Mass. Back to the hotel, dinner and overnight.
3rd Day – Corinaldo, birthplace of Santa Maria Goretti
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Corinaldo, an ancient medieval hamlet between the Cesano and Misa rivers, famous for its elegant defensive walls perfectly intact from 14th Century. Known as „the village of crazy people“ due to some original local legend, walking in the narrow alleys you will admire historical palaces and churches as Palazzo Comunale, the Theater, the Church Colleggiata di San Francesco, the Suffragio Church, the towers. Visit at the Sanctuary of Santa Maria Goretti, born in 1890 in Corinaldo and then transferred to Frosinone in 1902, where her martyrdom took place. She was proclaimed a Saint in 1950, the Sanctuary and the monastry preserve a statue with some relics of the Saint. Near the village you will visit the birth house.
Rate per person per tour from € 140,00
Single room supplement per € 36,00
Groups with minimun 15 pax
The price includes:
- N. 2 overnight in 3-stars hotel with accommodation in double room and half board treatment, including drinks (1/4 winw + 1/2 water);
- N. 1 lunch at restaurant, including drinks;
- Guide services as in the itinerary: 2x HD at the Abbays and in Corinaldo; 1x FD at Loreto and Osimo;
- Entrance tickets: Monastry of Abbadia di Fiastra
The price doesn’t include:
- Bus transfer, parking and check point;
- Any other entrance ticket during the visit;
- Tourist tax: if applied, it has to be paid on spot;
- Everything not mentioned at „the price includes".