Monastero
Monastero Santa Croce was founded in 1176. It is the important spiritual place of Christian pilgrimage as it keeps the unique Holy Cross of the 10th century,
Monastero Santa Croce, The Monastery of the Holy Cross, is located about 5km from Ameglia, the charming ancient village located on the border between the Italian regions of Liguria and Tuscany. The territory of the Monastery lies on a hill surrounded by the forest, the natural park, green lawns and the secluded seaside. Each space has particular atmosphere. The Monastery is truly the place of the breathtaking views, meeting with nature and creative inspiration.
MONASTERO SANTA CROCE
"Nature is the art of God..."
- Dante Alighieri
the wooden Christ created in Byzantine Romanesque style.The name of the Monastery is mentioned by many prominent authors of Italian classical literature and is also famous for being the place of seclusion for such outstanding figure as Dante Alighieri. The Monastery attracted many Italian writers and poets, such as Eugenio Montale,
Cesare Pavese, Elio Vittorini and Giulio Einaudi, who had chosen it as the place for their holidays in search of concentration and creative inspiration.
Take a walk around the Monastery territory and continuously enjoy incredibly pure seaside air, inhale the fragrance of flowers and herbs. Literally, the natural pharmacy is at your feet: mint, rosmary, thyme...On your way you may encounter palms and tropical plants, olive, apple and lemon trees, persimmon, grapes and even a little bamboo grove. The sound of cicadas flow like the music and dissolve in the air as you walk more down to the seaside. The curled forest paths take you the Monastery beach which is unique in the area as it is completely isolated and private. The sound of the sea waves, the wind and the magnificent nature blend with each other...
BETWEEN LIGURIA AND TUSCANY
The village of Ameglia and its territory have the history dating back to the 4th century BC.
The atmosphere and the very air of the place still keep the spirit of ancient Romans and the early Middle Ages.
The tiny narrow streets still preserve ancient details and evoke a timeless feeling...
The geographical area is famous for the impressive panoramic views of the Apuan Alps, picturesque landscapes surrounded by the sky-blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, finest cuisine traditions and the greatest arts heritage.
In Ameglia, as you step on the Piazza della Liberta, this is exactly the point where Liguria meets Tuscany.
From Pisa Airport the train to Sarzana can be taken either directly from the airport train station ("Pisa Fermata Aeroporto") or from Pisa station "Pisa Centrale" (there is a convenient bus from the airport to "Pisa Centrale" station). The trip by train to Sarzana will take about 65 min.
From Florence Airport: take the shuttle bus “Volainbus” to "Santa Maria Novella" train station ("Firenze S. M. Novella" - the central station of Firenze). The bus goes every 30min. The trip will take about 25 min. It is possible to purchase the bus ticket at the tabacconist shop, the bar inside the airport, the newspaper stands inside the train station or from the SITA bus station itself. The ticket will be a bit more expensive if you buy it onboard from the driver. From "Santa Maria Novella" station take the train to "Sarzana". The trip will take about 1h 50min.
From Florence Airport it is also possible to take the bus to Rifredi Station ("Firenze Rifredi" - nearest railway station to the airport) and from "Firenze Rifredi" station you can take the train to "Sarzana". The train trip to "Sarzana" will also take about 1h 50min.
If you are travelling from Florence city, you can take the train from Santa Maria Novella Station ("Firenze S. M. Novella"). This is the main railway station in Florence located in Piazza della Stazione in the city center. The trip to Sarzana by train will take about 1h 50min.
From Genova Airport: first you can take the shuttle bus ("Volainbus") to "Genova Brignole" station, the journey will take about 30 min. "Genova Brignole" is Genova’s main railway station located on Piazza Verdi in the city centre. From "Genova Brignole" take a train to "Sarzana" station (depending on the train, the trip will take from 1h 50min to 2h).
If you travel from Milano Malpensa Airport: Milan airport has a railway station which is located in the Terminal 1, the station name is "Malpensa Aeroporto".
From "Malpensa Aeroporto" take the train to Sarzana, the trip will take about 4 - 5 h.
Step Two: From Sarzana train station take the bus to Bocca di Magra.
From the train station walk to the bus stop (about 450m or 5 min walk). See detailed directions on the map.
Take the bus direction "Montemarcello" (the bus runs every hour). The bus trip from Sarzana to Bocca di Magra will take about 30min.
Step Three: Upon arrival at Bocca di Magra IUGTE car/bus will meet the group and take to the Monastery.
Where to purchase public bus and train tickets?
Usually tickets for the bus can be purchased from the bus driver or be bought at the automated ticket machines in the terminal building at the airports and at a variety of city centre locations including the railway stations (the ticket will be a bit more expensive if you purchase it directly in the bus or train). Train tickets can be purchased at the train station or online via TrenItalia web site. Please note that in Italy both bus and train tickets must be validated: insert your ticket with the arrow-marked end into the punch card machine.
How to get here?
Airport ---> Train to Sarzana ---> Bus to Bocca di Magra
Step One: From the airport take the train to "Sarzana" train station.
Nearest international airports:
Pisa Airport - 67 km from the venue.
Genova Airport - 119 km from the venue
Florence Airport - 124 km from the venue.
You can also travel through other Italian airports, for example Milan.
Search for convenient flight options via SkyScanner
TRANSPORTATION
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
The creative space, accommodation and meals - everything is organized for the group at the territory of Monastero Santa Croce.
Participants can spend intensive days together without distracting to routine necessaries.
There are single and shared twin rooms with shower and wc. The hotel provides the necessary basics like soap, shower cap and several towels. We recommend you taking care of the toiletries like shampoo, toothpaste, or any other “little things” you personally may need on travel. Please note that there is no hairdryer in the room. There is free Wi Fi Internet connection in the hotel lobby.
Three meals per day are organized for the group by the hotel (breakfast, lunch, dinner). The meals are for non-vegetarians and vegetarians. Vegetables, salad bars and fruit are important parts of lunch and dinner, and there are vegetarian choices at every meal. Whenever possible the Monastero accommodates special dietary needs (allergies or food intolerances).
IUGTE is preparing the group accommodation list in advance. The participants should make the payment for their room and meals directly to the hotel reception upon arrival. Please contact us for more details if you have questions about your stay at the Monastero.
IUGTE will be glad to help participants in planning the travel itinerary and practical details!