The Certosa of San Lorenzo at Padula:

One of the largest monastery in the world

The Cilento area and the Valley of Diano are home to a fundamentally important root of western civilization. Here, in fact, ancient Greek civilization settled and constructed the magnificent Doric temples of Paestum and the colony of Elea (Velia for the Romans)that gave birth to the great philosopher Parmenide and Zenone, his follower. Still today these origins symbolize the deep roots of this place that played an important part in Western philosophical and mystic meditation. Nevertheless, it was the Byzantines, the Longobards and the Normans who settled here -especially in the area inland- and filled it with typically Medieval architectural elements (i.e. castles, churches, monasteries, convents, and palaces for the nobility)overflowing with stupendous and often little known artistic treasures. Of all of these, the Cetoso of San Lorenzo stands out.

It is situated in the Vallo of Diano, beneath the hill that overlooks the town of Padula and not far from the city of Paestum. The Cetosa di San Lorenzo is among the largest monasteries in the world and it is a building of undeniable architectural magnificence. The beauty of the artistic treasures and sacred art that it contains are greatly prized in the international art world. In our opinion, it is breathtaking and a monumentally beautiful example of claustral architecture that offers hundreds of occasions to be literally overwhelmed by the artistic details that adorn the main buildings. Not to be missed are the Chiostro della Foresteria (cloister of the guest-rooms)and the splendid, magnificent internal church. In the monastery, one can admire terracotta and majolica flooring in their maximum splendour similar to that which can be found in many of the homes and churches of the Amalfi Coast. Not far from here is the archaeological site of Paestum.