La Verna, in
Latin Alverna and geographically known as
Monte Penna, is a locality on Mount Penna, an isolated mountain of 1,283 m situated in the centre of the
Tuscan Apennines, rising above the valley of the
Casentino, central
Italy. The place is known especially for its association with Saint
Francis of Assisi (he is said to have received the
stigmata here) and for the
Sanctuary of La Verna, which grew up in his honour. Administratively it falls within the Tuscan
province of Arezzo and the
comune of
Chiusi della Verna,
Italy.
La Verna and Saint Francis of Assisi
Count Orlando of Chiusi gave La Verna to Francis on May 8, 1213 as a retreat specially favourable for contemplation, and in 1218 built him the chapel Santa Maria degli Angeli. In August, 1224, frustrated by the changes in the Order of Friars Minor, Francis withdrew to La Verna to keep a forty days fast in preparation for
Michaelmas and while praying on the mountain-side he received (on or about 17 September) the
stigmata. After seeing a vision of a seraphim he began to develop nails of hardened flesh which protruded from his hands and feet. He also began to form a wound in his side like that of Christ. Thus La Verna came to be seen as sacred ground.
Pope Alexander IV took it under his protection. In 1260 a church was consecrated there in presence of St.
Bonaventure and several
bishops. A few years later the Chapel of the Stigmata was erected, paid for by Count
Simone of Battifole, near the spot where the
miracle...
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