The certosa of San Lorenzo in Padula

The Alvaneta Farm is only a few kilometers away from the largest Carthusian monastery in Italy, La Certosa di S. Lorenzo (Carthusian monastery of St. Lorence) , also known as Certosa di Padula (Carthusian monastery of Padula) is one of the most famous Carthusian monasteries in the world.
Following one of the paths that deviate from the farm, allows one to have a pleasant walk and to be fascinated by the wonderful architectural structure and surroundings.
The Farm was founded in 1306 by Tommaso Sanseverino, Earl of Marsico and Lord of the Vallo di Diano. It extends from the grange of the abbey of Montevergine, which was dedicated to S. Lorenzo and represents the original nucleus of the Carthusian monastery.
The structure resembles the gridiron image on which the saint was burnt alive.
Currently, the oldest plant has only a few remnants: amongst which, one in particular that should be highlighted is the vault of the church and the majestic doorway dated 1374.
La Certosa di Padula (Carthusian monastery of Padula) proposes the same structure of the other Carthusian monasteries , including the division of space between "high house "(the area of residence of the priests and nuns) and" low house "(the workplace) and covers an area of 51,500 square meters. Inside it houses the largest convent in the world.
The main part is in Baroque style, but there have been numerous changes of a later period, especially after the Council of Trent (1545-1563).
In 1807, the Certosa di San Lorenzo (Carthusian monestery) was suppressed and the monks were forced to abandon it. All the artistic heritage and library, as well as furnishings, went missing. After the final departure of the Carthusians in 1866, the property went through a period of disrepair and during the Second World War it was used as a concentration camp. In 1882 it was declared a national monument, but only in 1982 careful work of restoration was launched and recovery was done by the Governmental office responsible for the environment, architecture, Art and Historical Heritage of Salerno.
Today, the Carthusian monastery houses the Provincial Archaeological Museum of Western Lucania, which houses remains from nearby archaeological sites.
Of great importance is the exhibition "La Certosa ritrovata", held each year in the gallery of the promenade deck, where visitors can admire furniture, furnishings, pictures and other materials that were found and restored. The exhibition will be inaugurated on the day of St. Lorenzo and will remain open for 3 months. This exhibition also emphasizes the artistic heritage of the Vallo di Diano thanks to the restoration of works related to the culture of the area. A peek out of the windows of the gallery offers a beautiful view of the Great Convent and the old town of Padula.

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