Journey through monasteries and abbeys and their work

A trip to the convents, monasteries and abbeys to tell you stories and traditions. Places where life flows calmly and quietly in contact with the local nature. Each of them with their own history, their own traditions, which the monks have handed down for generations, and with their own monastic products.

The monks, following the Benedictine order, have for centuries been dedicated to the cultivation of the land and the production of many food and cosmetic products. Their day alternates with moments of prayer and others of work where there is no lack of moments of rest. They are men who live off their work and for this reason their days are differentiated according to the seasons: spring is the time of sowing, summer that of harvest, autumn that of harvest and winter that during which we can devote more time to reading and activities inside the monastery. The monks do not feel "prisoners" of the rule that helps them organize their activities and follow the purpose of their life, show their love for God and Jesus in all the activities they carry out. The moments of morning and afternoon work are of great importance. For the monk, work, whether manual or intellectual, is participation in the creative activity of God. There are many monasteries, abbeys and convents, places rich in art where the monks are dedicated to the production of many products. These monasteries are immersed in the peace and colors of nature, they are wonderful places. We can admire gardens where plants are grown for the realization of beneficial products, flowers and fruit. The monks collect raw materials by making extra virgin olive oil and fine wines obtained from vines that are cared for and cultivated in full respect of nature. They rely on external laboratories to produce organic cosmetics such as hand creams, ointments and soaps.

There is a lot of dedication to the packaging of jams, honey and for those who love more particular products there is also the perfect grappa as an end of a meal. The famous imperial drops are produced, a strong digestive based on anise, but also the essence of lavender, an essential oil that can be used for many beneficial purposes or simply as a home or laundry fragrance. The Cascinazza Monastery was the first to start the production of monastic beers in Italy. Thanks to the intuition of the monks to carry on this monastic tradition and the meeting with small Italian breweries, two monks began their journey to the abbeys to study the secrets of Trappist beers. Returning from these trips, the Benedictine community of the Cascinazza monastery began, in 2008, the production of the first monastic craft beer in our country.Some of these places are very well known, perhaps a little less high but they are all exceptional where you can breathe air that smells of peace and tranquility