Monastero di Camáldoli

The monastery founded by St Romuald in 1012 is in the little town of Camáldoli. In addition to the conventual buildings the complex includes the church and a hospice for pilgrims. The church (Santi Donato e Ilariano) was rebuilt at the beginning of the 16th century and was given its present Baroque form (including the large ceiling-fresco) in the late 18th century Giorgio Vasari (1511-74) painted a number of pictures for the church, among them "Descent from the Cross", "Virgin and Child with Saints" and "SS Donatus and Hilarianus". The charming cloister was built in 1543, as was the pharmacy at the entrance to the monastery, still containing its original furnishings.