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ORIGINS AND HISTORY La Cervara has always been wrapped in an aura of mysterious charm: in seven centuries of history, moments of splendour have alternated with periods of decay and information handed down over the centuries contain a mixture of reality, fantasy, history and legend. Its first inhabitants were a few Benedictine monks who in 1361 founded a monastery and dedicated it to Saint Girolamo. The prestige of the Abbey of La Cervara and its splendid position made it a favourite destination for famous people such as: the poet Francesco Petrarca, Saint Catherine of Siena, Pope Gregory XI (1376) - the last Pope of Avignon, Don John of Austria (1574) - the famous military leader who defeated the Turks at Lepanto, the literary scholar Alessandro Piccolomini and Guglielmo Marconi - the inventor of the wireless telegraph. Francis I, King of France, defeated at Pavia in 1525 by Charles V King of Spain, had the singular misfortune of being imprisoned in the small tower overhanging the sea, from which a splendid view
of the bay of Portofino may be enjoyed. In the Sixteenth century, the Monastery reached its maximum glory: for more than a century it had led a Congregation including more than ten Benedictine monasteries; this gave La Cervara great power and great wealth. To defend itself from the Saracen pirates, who at the time infested the coasts of Liguria, the fine renaissance-style tower was built which still dominates the whole complex today. In the following centuries the complex of La Cervara underwent numerous transformations. It changed hands many times starting from the end of the Eighteenth century when, following the French Revolution, the Benedictines were ousted with the suppression of the Monastic Orders. At the beginning of the Nineteenth century a colony of Trappist monks arrived at La Cervara, but, when they refused to submit to the Emperor Napoleon, they were sent in exile to the island of Capraia as well. La Cervara again fell into a state of abandonment and the whole monastic complex was put up for sale in 1859. In 1868, it was bought by the Marquis Giacomo Durazzo, who carried out important renovation works and then decided to sell it to the Somascan Fathers so that the presence of monks could return the monastery to its past splendours. The latter carried out renovation and architectural upgrading works, the results of which can still be seen today. Later, La Cervara passed on to a group of Carthusian monks from France; the new monks took great care of the Abbey and its gardens but were forced to sell it in 1937 and La Cervara became once and for all a private residence. A large part of this transformation took place with the works carried out in the Fifties and Sixties, but later La Cervara fell again into a state of abandonment and suffered gradual decline both in its structures and in its pictorial decorations. Starting from the year 1990, when it was taken over by the current owner, important recovery and restoration works were carried out, under the supervision of the Office of Environmental and Architectural Assets of Liguria, by the architect Mide Osculati with intervention, for the renovation of the paintings, of Pinin Brambilla Barcilon, the famous restorer of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper.
EVENTS AND HOSPITALITY The strategic position of the Monumental Complex of La Cervara between Santa Margherita and Portofino make it an ideal venue for organising conferences, corporate meetings, concerts, private parties and weddings, both inside as in the wonderful surrounding gardens. It is in such setting, in the charm of its gardens and in the silence of its Cloister, that the management of La Cervara offers all the collaboration necessary for every type of event, guaranteeing the highest level of customization. The complex is offered at exclusive use for the celebration of important events or for meetings that simply require privacy and intimacy. Its articulated structure enables the planning of different moments in places and environments that are always new, taking full advantage of the opportunities offered by the scenery with the centuries-old Coenobium, in the luxuriant scenery of the Monte di Portofino. Guests attending an event have an extra privilege: they may stay in one of the rooms of the main building of the Abbey and in the ancient Saracen Tower. Each room is unique and offers glimpses of the historic garden and magnificent views of the Gulf of Tigullio. Ancient walls and cutting-edge comfort: this is the unusual union behind the pleasure of staying at La Cervara. A surprising privilege for those seeking an experience to be remembered.
VISIT LA CERVARA Guided tours start from the Crypt, which is the oldest part of the building. From here visitors go up to the gardens and enter the Chapter Hall with its stunning 15th century ceiling, which has now become La Cervara’s logo. Next is the 16th century Cloister, with the Saracen Tower and the Abbey’s foundation stone, followed by the evocative Church of San Girolamo, the Emperor Gallery and the Great Staircase of the Tapestries. The visit continues in the Gardenia Garden, with its floral pillars covered with rhynchospermum and bougainvillea, followed by the Belvedere Terrace, which faces the sea on the Italian Garden, and going down to the Portofino Terrace, wich was once the tower where Francis I King of France was imprisoned. The last stop is the magnificent centuries-old Wisteria Court.
From March to October, the Abbey can be visited on the first and the third Sunday of the month, at 10 am, 11 am and 12 pm. Visits are staffed by licensed guides and can be booked toll-free at 800-652110 or by email at visite@cervara.it. Private guided tours can be booked in advance on any available day of the year with a minimum of 30 people. Visits can be conducted in English, French, German and Spanish. You may extend your stay at the Abbey and enjoy a cocktail or buffet lunch.
Impianti e stampa: Mariani Tipolitografia - Lissone
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ASSOCIAZIONE DIMORE STORICHE ITALIANE
Lungomare Rossetti - via Cervara, 10 16038 Santa Margherita Ligure (Genova - Italia) tel. +39.0185.293.139 - fax. +39.0185.291.270 e.mail: abbazia@cervara.it - www.cervara.it