SHARRYLAND
Hermitage of Monte Rua
Behind a high wall, a life of prayer and seclusion.
Where
What and where is the Hermitage of Monte Rua
In the municipality of Torreglia, in the heart of the Euganean Hills Park, lies the Camaldolese Hermitage of Santa Annunziata, better known as the Hermitage of Monte Rua, named after the mountain on which it stands. It is an ancient complex enclosed by massive stone walls, made up of a small church and 14 "cells". Each cell has a bedroom, study, chapel, bathroom, woodshed, and vegetable garden. Here lives a small community of Camaldolese cloistered monks, who spend their days in prayer and work, solitude and meditation. For this reason, access is limited to specific days and times and is not permitted to women.
Why it’s special: a place of prayer beyond reach
The hermitage, isolated and hidden behind high walls, has an ancient charm. It is an oasis of peace, silence, and contemplation, framed and protected by dense woodland. In the past, only men were allowed to visit, while women had to wait for a Jubilee year to enter. Since the Covid epidemic, this is no longer the case: today, visitors can no longer access the monastery itself, but can still walk along the trails of Monte Rua and admire its silent walls from the outside.
Don’t miss: the walk around the Hermitage
The walk around the Hermitage walls is truly charming. It’s a simple circular route of about 2 km, suitable for everyone. In summer, it’s perfect for escaping the heat and finding a bit of cool shade; in winter, it’s often icy as it’s mostly in the shade. You can also follow the lower loop, which is slightly longer and more varied, with beautiful panoramic views.
A bit of history
In 1339, two hermits from the San Mattia di Murano community obtained permission from the Bishop of Padua to build a church in honor of the Virgin Mary. At first, the structure was made of wood, but after a period of abandonment, it was rebuilt in stone in the 1500s and became home to the Camaldolese community.
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