Montepaolo sanctuary

This is Emilia-Romagna's most important sanctuary dedicated to St. Antonio from Padova, who lived here between 1221 and 1222.


Check the link 'Religious hospitality in Forlì'

Address: Via Monte Paolo, 24, 47013 Dovadola (FC), Italia
Telephone number: Hermitage: +39.0543.934723 - Dovadola Municipality: +39.0543.934764

Admission: Free

How to get there

Drive along the 67 provincial road which connects Forlì to Florence; it is 25 km far from A14 motorway's Forlì tollbooth (follow the signals to Firenze, Castrocaro, Rocca San Casciano). A few meters before Dovadola, turn right following the indications for Monte Paolo. The Sanctuary can be reached from Farenza (18 km) as well, going through S. Lucia delle Spianate, just keep in mind that the last few km are to be driven on an unpaved road. You can also get there going across an old mule track which begins next to Castrocaro Terme's Castle. The sanctuary imposes no constrains and has no architectural barriers, so it is accessible to everybody.

Description

This hermitage and sanctuary is isolated at 425 meters height on the hills between Castrocaro and Dovadola in Forlì-Cesena province. It is immersed in nature, so it is possible to see roebucks, squirrels, porcupines, hares and other animals). Montepaolo is the ideal place to enlighten your soul, far from traffic and noise. The sanctuary keeps an important relic of S. Antonio and it is also possible to see the cave were he used to pray. The sanctuary is remarkable from an artistic point of view as well: there is a church which was completely frescoed and rebuilt in neo-gothic style in the first decades of the XX century, then you can admire the 'Hope path' and the 'Mosaics Alley'.

News

All Sundays of September religious celebrations to commemorate S. Antonio are held.

There is also a typical farmhouse which has been restored and equipped for meditating, praying and studying; it has a chapel and a library, a conference room, other halls and services. It can host up to 25 people, in two- or three-bedded rooms, each having a private toilet.