Madonna di Constantinopoli

In the territory of Cerreto di Spoleto, a small community in central Italy, lies the ancient Franciscan convent of Santa Maria of Constantinopoli, protected by the government for its historical and artistic value. A private residence since 1880, it has now been opened, completely restored and equipped with every comfort. It can also hold cultural and touristic events for little groups: The Convent of the Madonna of Constantinopoli lives today - in a new style but in its original use - as a cultural and spiritual reference point. Its privileged geographical position, makes it an ideal starting point for many itineraries, be they naturalistic, sport or cultural.

History

In the period leading up to 1600, around a mile from the present church, there was an image of the Madonna which was considered miraculous. It had been painted on a piece of wall and wedged in between four oak planks. The image is currently placed on the main altar inside the church. For many years, the image lay inside a simple, road-side shrine, constructed by worshippers. Afterwards, a little chapel was built for it, followed by a small church, the local council donated 10 shields in 1609 and a small organization donated another twenty shields in 1623. In 1647, a noble from Cerreto, bequeathed his entire fortune to the church on the condition that they celebrated a mass on his behalf on every celebration of the Holy Madonna. From 1688, the Franciscan order needed a place for monks travelling between the various monasteries in Spoleto, Norcia and Trevi, as the families that usually hosted them no longer existed. After they were given the church and the surrounding land, the monks were asked to construct a convent. On 16 January 1690, the monks took possession of the land and then of the church itself on 8 August. After obtaining authorization from the Holy See and from Cardinal Pallavicino, bishop of Spoleto, a mass was held and Father Pierfrancesco of Piepaterno placed the first stone. In the following years, the Convent became a training centre for monks. The presence of Father Petronio from Bologna, named “the saint’, created a spiritual reference point for the entire district. In that period, the Convent was well-known for its student population. It had a total of 25 students and 16 priests and it even had a Provincial Chapter. After the law of suppression on religious orders was passed, the monks had to abandon the Convent on 31 December 1866. The Convent was confiscated and it was sold in 1878. In 1946, after various owners, the Convent was bought, in a state of complete disrepair, by the present owners. After three renovation periods, they have restored it to its former glory

In 2006, la Valnerina presents its candidacy to become part of the places listed on the patrimony of humanity under the aegis of the UNESCO. To let you seduce by its quasi time suspended ambient is an easy thing. To little distance from artistic and cultural centers such as Spoleto, Spello, Perugia and Assisi, the Valnerina remains the rural heart of the Umbria, tied to the ancient rhythm of the seasons, mystic in its beauty and its Hush, where however the print of the man is tangible, and integrating part of the landscape. The nature is melted to the inhabited zones, to the ancient Benedictine and Franciscan abbeys, to the medieval villages nested on the flanks of the valley, to the defensive towers and of sight of what was frontier of the papal state, to the paths of mountain and the cultivated zones, until rendering the landscape alive of its history. To cover la Valnerina – in order to understand, and live it - is to reappropriate of just the time and of just passed. The convent, probably one of the more significative places of the idealistic historical and artistic tour that alloy this earth, is found in the municipality of Cerreto di Spoleto, a quarter of hour away from Norcia, Cascia and Spoleto, and little more than half an hour away from Spello, Trevi, Perugia, Todi and Assisi. The Valnerina, strong of the verginity of its territory due to the isolation of which it has enjoyed until little years ago, is discovering itself as a destination of amateurs of the main open air sports: from the splendid cliffs of free climbing of Ferentillo to the throats of the Nera where it is possible to practice rafting, from the mountain routes of the Vettore to the poignant beauty of the plateau of Castelluccio, land of the hang-glider and the paragliding. The territory in the same way enjoys unique eno-gastronomic routes: from the wine cellars of Montefalco to the lentils of Castelluccio, from the specialties of the norcineria to the black truffle, from the farro to the famous oil of the plain of Spoleto, in a rediscover of ancient and local tastes.

Today, the complex of Madonna of Constantinopoli has been completely restored and functions as a hotel, as well as being protected for its historical and artistic value

The complex is located in one of the most beautiful parts of the Apennine Mountain range, in the valley of the river Vigi (a site of European Community interest). It sits at 650 meters, in the centre of farmland, rich in woods, pastures, and walking-paths. The complex is oriented towards recovering and safeguarding the original habitat of many species of fauna, which although still present, are now endangered and at risk of extinction

How to Reach the Ex Convento Della Madonna di Costantinopoli

By car: • From Rome, about 1hr and 45 mins, Take the A1 motorway, Autostrada del Sole, in the direction of Florence; exit at Orte, continue in the direction of Terni/Spoleto. 2 km after Spoleto take the exit in the direction Cascia/Norcia until Borgo Cerreto, take the exit, in the direction of Sellano - after 1.5 km take the turn-off for Meggiano. • From Florence, about 2 hrs, Take the A1 motorway in the direction of Rome, exit at Valdichiana, direction Perugia/Spoleto, take the exit for Valnerina, Norcia, Cascia and travel on to Borgo Cerreto, take the exit, in the direction Sellano - after 1.5 km take the turn-off for Meggiano. By Train: Rome-Ancona line Get off at the Station of Spoleto. Daily connection for Borgo Cerreto

We will try to describe the rooms, one by one. What we cannot describe is the atmosphere, the silence and the magic of this place. You have to discover it, but in the meantime you can decide where to sleep... (All rooms have bathrooms, even where it is not specifically stated in the description.)

Suite
The most comfortable and luxurious suite: to be found in the body of the building's guest quarters, it has two large lounges, of which one has a splendid jacuzzi embedded in the floor in front of a big fireplace. The bedroom is a loft and directly overlooks the swimming pool. The suite has an entrance to the park and a private entrance to the swimming pool.

Junior Suite
This has always been the apartment where distinguished guests sleep. It gets its name from a bishop who was a guest of the family for years. He is now a cardinal but the name has remained. The large room overlooks the park and the swimming pool exactly where the sun rises. Some of the most beautiful light synopia frescos of the convent have remained on its walls and it has been furnished with very valuable and simple furniture. It has a small lounge with a fireplace and a large bathroom with a bath and a shower.

Family Suite
The suite consists of the original room of the prior and the room of the sundial, a long lounge and a large bathroom. It sleeps four people in an absolutely comfortable and elegant manner.

Deluxe
One of the most beautiful and particular rooms of the convent, it overlooks the park and is divided by two small arches. The bed has been placed in front of a small stone fireplace. It is the most romantic room in the convent.

Standard
A perfectly Franciscan style cell, very bright and with a splendid bathroom. It is one of the three “little” rooms of the convent but its charm has been untouched. It overlooks the cloister and the bell tower.

Televisions have obviously been banned from the rooms. However, there is always a library with a television and a wide selection of films at your disposal.

An authentic experience in simplicity, beauty and silence. For cultural and sport tourism, courses, seminars, concerts, exhibitions, work meetings or family get-togethers, spiritual retreats and parties: these and a thousand other uses are possible in the magical atmosphere of this ancient residence.

You are out of time and far away from stress, two steps from the Mount Sibylline National Park and at the same time, in the centre of cultural events, touristic itineraries and gastronomic specialties. Taste the silence of the park, encircled by an ancient wall, enjoy the shade of age-old trees, have a tennis match on the earthen court and chat in front of the fire-place, in the ancient kitchen, once used by monks and now transformed into a lounge. It will help you live in a more deeply human dimension.

• Tennis Court

The restaurant service is finally on. The suggestive and unusual rooms will create the right atmosphere for romantic dinner, family, friends and business meeting. The cooking staff, under the control of the executive chef, will make you enjoy not only the typical dishes of Umbria but also the national and international cooking specialties. All matched with the best wine of selected italian wine labels. The restaurant is open at lunch and dinner time, in the inside room or in the garden, by moon and candle light. The reservation is required!