Excursion in Cortona – Eremo Le Chelle.
Tour combined – walking + car.
Cells (Eremo Le Chelle) – a Franciscan monastery founded by Francis of Assisi himself in 1211, and still today a refuge for the brothers of the Capuchin order. This place is truly unique; in the most picturesque valley on one of the slopes with artificially created terraces are stone-built cells designed for true communion with the Lord. The buildings are surrounded by small, beautifully manicured gardens
The name Cells predates the arrival of St Francis in this area, perhaps because of the rock-cut platforms with primitive shepherd’s huts. The first building, a small church of the Archangel Michael, was built presumably during the Lombard occupation of Italy, around which the monastic cloister was later formed. It was the first refuge founded by St Francis, where he stayed after receiving the stigmata and where he is believed to have dictated the Testament, one of his most important works describing spiritualistic experiences, shortly before his death in May 1226.
A hundred and fifty years after his death, Francis of Assisi would be made a saint by Pope Gregory IX, and a Basilica would be built on the site of his burial place; the Cortona monastery would in turn be given to the Franciscan order.
Antonio Barberini, brother of Pope Urban VIII, served here from 1594 to 1596 and left a bridge named Barberini Bridge to commemorate his stay.
After 1775, during the period of almost total prohibition of religious orders, the monastery was closed and in 1807, under Napoleon, it was put up for sale.
Today, 6 brothers of the Capuchin order live here permanently, spending time in solitude and prayer.
You will also be given a guided tour of the three orders of St Francis: Franciscans, Clarissi, Tertiaries.
The Church of St Francis is the first Franciscan church built in this province after the famous basilica in Assisi, designed by the saint’s closest friend and collaborator, Ilia Coppi. The same one who, in 1230, hid the body of Brother Francis in a simple coffin between the stones under the main altar in the Basilica of Assisi, specially built according to his design.
In the church of Cortona, on the main altar, there is a shrine given by Brother Elias to his native town.
In the church of Cortona, on the main altar there is a shrine given by Brother Elias to his native town.
