Certosa Di Padula

This boasts to be the second largest monastery in Italy next to one in Parma. Its glory dates back to 13th century. A mighty nobleman, Tommaso Sanseverino, founded it and gave it to Carthusian monks.

The architecture reminds the grate upon which the saint Lawrence was burnt alive. From 1806, when it was assaulted and plundered by Napoleon’s soldiers, the original monastery had continuously been enriched with new architectural parties, statues, gardens, works of art and craftsmanship, and an immense number of books and big new portions of land. In spite of the deep transformations, it has conserved however its structure of the origins.

Since 1960 a systematic scientific work of restoration is going on.

Some Spicy notes about the site

The strange iron machine in the entrance courtyard built in 1996 with the purpose of cooking and turning upside down a 1000 eggs omelette. In 1534 the emperor Charles V was guest of the Carthusian monks, who in his honor prepared a giant omelette with a thousand eggs. Hence, since 1996, every year in September, among the events related to the wild boar feast the giant omelette is made to offer to people.

During the French period, the Certosa was used like religious building in order to accommodate 20,000 soldiers.

How to get there?
Motorway Salerno-Reggio Calabria (tollgate Buonabitacolo - Padula and state road 19 "delle Calabrie").

Car Services from Salerno.
Railway station on the line Salerno - Lagonegro.