Hermitages at Montecastello, Maguzzano, and Garda: Historic Spiritual Retreats

More and more people, including foreigners, are choosing the tranquility of hermitages over social life for a moment of meditation, self-discovery, and spiritual oasis.

The Location and History of Montecastello

Montecastello is perched on a cliff at an altitude of 691 meters, where Mastino della Scala built a fortress, later transformed into an ogival church; it is adorned with sculptures and paintings, some on copper by Palma il Giovane, as well as post-Gothic frescoes.

The Abbey of Maguzzano and Historical Figures

The Abbey of Maguzzano, an ecumenical center welcoming brothers of different Christian faiths, hosted in 1521 the Benedictine and macaronic poet Teofilo Folengo, also known as Merlin Cocai.

Gabriele D’Annunzio dined with the friars in 1922 and slept on the church floor.

The Monastery of San Giorgio in Garda

At the Monastery of San Giorgio in Garda, guests are free to enter because, after being abandoned by the friars of Camaldoli, it has become accessible even to women, who were previously excluded by the strict rule of Montecorona.