The monks of Padula were not actually poor, only rich men were accepted. As they brought their wealth to the monastery, living there was not so bad. Each of the about 40 monks had its own house including a small yard.
So they spent their days in a comfortable place, finding peace by contemplating, growing herbs, brewing beer and singing together.
The monastery itself was sacked a couple of times, even served as a prisoners of war camp. However, still part of its beauty is visible everywhere.
Especially these small lovely yards with citrus trees catched my eye...
Of course the leading monk, the Prior, had the best quarter, including a terrace with a garden...
..and its private golden chapel.
There is a well groomed park around the building, which I would have preferred to the cloister for walking a couple of rounds..
This is the central kitchen, where the famous omelette of 1000 eggs was prepared for king Carlos V. As I heard there is a yearly enactment of it in Padula.
The rooms where they exercised their religious duties are rich decorated, as expected, every chair is a masterpiece of art. Here they sung their songs together...
This is a painting in the room where they had their meals together, silent. Only one of them had to read from the bible to the others while they ate.
And this is the room where they kept the treasures and relics...all long ago seized by occupants or even the state.
After visiting the monastery we went uphill to take a look at Padula. It couldn't compete with the beauty of the former...although it was amazing again to see a closely packed old village on a hill.
A couple of street still reminded of the days of the monks...
Eventually we had a great view of the valley and the Certosa as a whole..on a cloudy day.
So they spent their days in a comfortable place, finding peace by contemplating, growing herbs, brewing beer and singing together.
The monastery itself was sacked a couple of times, even served as a prisoners of war camp. However, still part of its beauty is visible everywhere.
Especially these small lovely yards with citrus trees catched my eye...
Of course the leading monk, the Prior, had the best quarter, including a terrace with a garden...
..and its private golden chapel.
There is a well groomed park around the building, which I would have preferred to the cloister for walking a couple of rounds..
This is the central kitchen, where the famous omelette of 1000 eggs was prepared for king Carlos V. As I heard there is a yearly enactment of it in Padula.
The rooms where they exercised their religious duties are rich decorated, as expected, every chair is a masterpiece of art. Here they sung their songs together...
This is a painting in the room where they had their meals together, silent. Only one of them had to read from the bible to the others while they ate.
And this is the room where they kept the treasures and relics...all long ago seized by occupants or even the state.
After visiting the monastery we went uphill to take a look at Padula. It couldn't compete with the beauty of the former...although it was amazing again to see a closely packed old village on a hill.
A couple of street still reminded of the days of the monks...
Eventually we had a great view of the valley and the Certosa as a whole..on a cloudy day.
