Overview
Founded by Brother Pietro da Morrone in the 1240s. In 1263-1264, the Hermitage of Santo Spirito a Majella received apostolic protection from Urban IV and was incorporated into the Order of St Benedict. From 1275 to 1293, it was the "motherhouse" of the Order of the Holy Spirit of Maiella, later to become the Celestines. Made up of a system of buildings, the lower part includes the church, the sacristy and a section for living quarters. Below the church is the oldest part, the hermitage. The second area consists of the remains of the 16th-century monastery. The third and final part consists of the guest quarters. The steep ascent of the holy stairs leads to a covered terrace and, upon reaching the highest point – the Maddalena Oratory – to a lush green beech forest.
