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ORIGINS AND HISTORYLa Cervara has always been wrapped in anaura of mysterious charm: in seven centuriesof history, moments of splendour have alter-nated with periods of decay and informationhanded down over the centuries contain a mix-ture of reality, fantasy, history and legend. Itsfirst inhabitants were a few Benedictinemonks who in 1361 founded a monastery anddedicated it to Saint Girolamo.The prestige of the Abbey of La Cervara andits splendid position made it a favourite desti-nation for famous people such as: the poetFrancesco Petrarca, Saint Catherine of Siena,Pope Gregory XI (1376) - the last Pope of Avi-gnon, Don John of Austria (1574) - the famousmilitary leader who defeated the Turks at Le-panto, the literary scholar Alessandro Picco-lomini and Guglielmo Marconi - the inventorof the wireless telegraph. Francis I, King ofFrance, defeated at Pavia in 1525 by CharlesV King of Spain, had the singular misfortuneof being imprisoned in the small tower over-hanging the sea, from which a splendid view

of the bay of Portofino may be enjoyed. In theSixteenth century, the Monastery reached itsmaximum glory: for more than a century ithad led a Congregation including more thanten Benedictine monasteries; this gave La Cer-vara great power and great wealth. To defenditself from the Saracen pirates, who at the timeinfested the coasts of Liguria, the fine renais-sance-style tower was built which still domi-nates the whole complex today. In thefollowing centuries the complex of La Cervaraunderwent numerous transformations. It chan-ged hands many times starting from the end ofthe Eighteenth century when, following theFrench Revolution, the Benedictines were ou-sted with the suppression of the Monastic Or-ders. At the beginning of the Nineteenthcentury a colony of Trappist monks arrived atLa Cervara, but, when they refused to submitto the Emperor Napoleon, they were sent inexile to the island of Capraia as well.La Cervara again fell into a state of abandon-ment and the whole monastic complex was putup for sale in 1859. In 1868, it was bought bythe Marquis Giacomo Durazzo, who carriedout important renovation works and then de-cided to sell it to the Somascan Fathers so thatthe presence of monks could return the mona-stery to its past splendours. The latter carriedout renovation and architectural upgradingworks, the results of which can still be seentoday. Later, La Cervara passed on to a groupof Carthusian monks from France; the newmonks took great care of the Abbey and itsgardens but were forced to sell it in 1937 andLa Cervara became once and for all a privateresidence. A large part of this transformationtook place with the works carried out in theFifties and Sixties, but later La Cervara fellagain into a state of abandonment and sufferedgradual decline both in its structures and in itspictorial decorations. Starting from the year1990, when it was taken over by the currentowner, important recovery and restorationworks were carried out, under the supervisionof the Office of Environmental and Architec-tural Assets of Liguria, by the architect MideOsculati with intervention, for the renovationof the paintings, of Pinin Brambilla Barcilon,the famous restorer of Leonardo da Vinci’sLast Supper.

EVENTS AND HOSPITALITYThe strategic position of the Monumental Com-plex of La Cervara between Santa Margheritaand Portofino make it an ideal venue for organi-sing conferences, corporate meetings, concerts,private parties and weddings, both inside as inthe wonderful surrounding gardens. It is in suchsetting, in the charm of its gardens and in the si-lence of its Cloister, that the management of LaCervara offers all the collaboration necessary forevery type of event, guaranteeing the highestlevel of customization. The complex is offeredat exclusive use for the celebration of importantevents or for meetings that simply require pri-vacy and intimacy. Its articulated structure ena-bles the planning of different moments in placesand environments that are always new, takingfull advantage of the opportunities offered by thescenery with the centuries-old Coenobium, inthe luxuriant scenery of the Monte di Portofino.Guests attending an event have an extra privi-lege: they may stay in one of the rooms of themain building of the Abbey and in the ancientSaracen Tower. Each room is unique and offersglimpses of the historic garden and magnificentviews of the Gulf of Tigullio. Ancient walls andcutting-edge comfort: this is the unusual unionbehind the pleasure of staying at La Cervara.A surprising privilege for those seeking an ex-perience to be remembered.

VISIT LA CERVARAGuided tours start from the Crypt, whichis the oldest part of the building.�Fromhere visitors go up to the gardens andenter�the Chapter Hall�with its stunning 15thcentury ceiling,�which has now becomeLa Cervara’s logo.Next is the 16th century Cloister,�with the Sa-racen Tower and the Abbey’s foundationstone, followed by the evocative Church ofSan Girolamo, the Emperor Gallery and theGreat Staircase of the Tapestries.The visit continues in the GardeniaGarden,�with its floral pillars covered withrhynchospermum and bougainvillea,�follo-wed by the Belvedere Terrace, which facesthe sea on the Italian Garden,�and goingdown to the Portofino Terrace, wich wasonce the tower where Francis I King ofFrance was imprisoned. The last stop is themagnificent� centuries-old Wisteria Court.

From March to October, the Abbeycan be visited on the first and the thirdSunday of the month, at 10 am, 11 amand 12 pm. Visits are staffed by li-censed guides and can be bookedtoll-free at 800-652110 or by email atvisite@cervara.it.Private guided tours can be booked inadvance on any available day of theyear with a minimum of 30 people. Vi-sits can be conducted in English,French, German and Spanish. Youmay extend your stay at the Abbey andenjoy a cocktail or buffet lunch.

Lungomare Rossetti - via Cervara, 1016038 Santa Margherita Ligure (Genova - Italia)tel. +39.0185.293.139 - fax. +39.0185.291.270e.mail: abbazia@cervara.it - www.cervara.it

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