Basilica di San Benedetto
Basilica di San Benedetto
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
430 reviews
Excellent
210
Very good
170
Average
45
Poor
5
Terrible
0
Larry and Sue L
Holland, OH34 contributions
Nov 2013 • Friends
Our visit to the Monastery was in time for Holy Mass with Gregorian Chant and then to be with the Monks again at afternoon prayer. There are may wonderful paintings of the life of St. Benedict. The walled town of Norcia is a quaint hilltop village with good eating places along with shops and interesting butcher stores. Make sure to plan for time to tour/taste the monks brewery. If you happen to see Fr. Cassian, the Prior, stop and say hello. He is from the USA and has many wonderful stories about the reopening of this monastery which had been closed for a long time. Norcia is where St. Benedict and his sister St. Scholastica were borne.
Written December 9, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
luvroma2
Reading, PA1,943 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
Our hotel - Palazzo Seneca, told us about an evening ritual that is performed by monks at this church. It starts at 7:45 and lasts about 45 minutes. We were advised to get there 10 minutes ahead of time. The evening we were there, they started a bit late and some people who had come to see the ceremony gave up and left. We are glad we waited. It was both beautiful and fascinating. It takes place in St. Bendict's crypt and the monks chant and read from their prayer books. They are dressed in hooded garbs. If you are in Norcia in the evening, put this "event" on your "to do" list.
Written May 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael G
40 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
For 20 minutes every evening one can experience the Gregorian Chants of the Monks. Nothing is said... All is chanted as it has been for over a thousand years. It is calming and an event non commercialized in Norcia. The chants are in a non pretensious church in the side of s beautiful plaza that typifies life in this area of Umbria. Shhhhh... Do not tell too many people as we do not want the place affected by too many tourists ...... But go!!!!
Written November 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trisha N
Peachtree City, GA499 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
We were told that that monks sing every night at 7:45pm. We went one evening & sure enough, they started right on time. It really was worth seeing, they sing in the dimly lit church & it was so beautiful.
Written October 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lalla1976
Latina, Italy39 contributions
Nov 2011 • Business
The church is beautiful and interesting...but something which is really worth it to see is the moment of the Compieta. Every evening at 7.45 pm the Benedictin Friars pray together and it's possible to attend this unique moment. Be there 10 minutes before, and youi'll be led down to the crypt to pray along and admire it!!
The Sunday mass is also unforgettable...it last 90 min. but it's completely sung and the Gregorian chants make it really moving !!
The Sunday mass is also unforgettable...it last 90 min. but it's completely sung and the Gregorian chants make it really moving !!
Written November 28, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lois P
Chicago, IL31 contributions
Oct 2014 • Solo
Wonderful visit to view the birthplace of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica. Norcia is a lovely small quaint mountain village in Umbria with lovely little shops and restaurants. Father Cassian and the Monks of San Benedetto offer on-site tours and have a lovely bookstore. They also brew two kinds of beer available for purchase. But, the most important thing is their devotion to Christ and the Restoration of the Benedictine Monastic Traditions. All are welcome to attend Mass and the Daily Divine Office/Breviary prayers chanted by the Monks in the sanctuary throughout the day.
Written March 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndreaCinToronto
Toronto, Canada91 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
Norcia is definitely a town full of character and quaint charm. We drove up for the afternoon from Eggi where we were renting a villa and I'm so glad we did. We just wandered, looked in all the shops, ate lunch at a little restaurant which had an outdoor patio and visited the Basilica di San Benedetto. You feel like you've gone back in time. If you're planning side trips you should give serious thought to Norcia. Really interesting and enjoyable!
Written March 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lecompre
baschi11 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
One of the few religious functions attended in Italy where there was any sense of spirituality. A rare chance to get a glimpse of what it might mean to be a Benedictine monk.
Written December 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bbinder
Paciano, Italy174 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
You might not care about Christianity but if you show up here at 7:45pm you get to hear the monks chant. Enchanting rituals.
Written November 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SJDowney
Melbourne, Australia303 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
We were told about the nightly service conducted by the Benedictine monks at our hotel, Palazzo Seneca, and made sure we attended on our first evening in Norcia.
The Basilica di San Benedetto is not a massive building but it is attractive both inside and out. We got there a little early so we could have a look around. There was a beautiful fresco just inside the entrance of absolutely superb quality.
Prior to the monks entering, the lights near the alter were extinguished and candles lit, then they filtered in one by one and bowed to the alter before taking seats on either side. Their voices were quite literally heavenly when they began to chant the service, blending beautifully when in unison or simple and dignified when solo. It was a unique, uplifting and spiritual experience. We stayed for the entire service, which lasted about 45 minutes, standing and sitting along with the congregation when required.
Definitely worth experiencing if you are in Norcia and rendered all the more special because San Benedetto (St Benedict) who founded the Benedictine monastic system was born in Norcia in 480 along with his twin sister (who is also a saint), Santa Scolastica (St Scholastica in English).
The Basilica di San Benedetto is not a massive building but it is attractive both inside and out. We got there a little early so we could have a look around. There was a beautiful fresco just inside the entrance of absolutely superb quality.
Prior to the monks entering, the lights near the alter were extinguished and candles lit, then they filtered in one by one and bowed to the alter before taking seats on either side. Their voices were quite literally heavenly when they began to chant the service, blending beautifully when in unison or simple and dignified when solo. It was a unique, uplifting and spiritual experience. We stayed for the entire service, which lasted about 45 minutes, standing and sitting along with the congregation when required.
Definitely worth experiencing if you are in Norcia and rendered all the more special because San Benedetto (St Benedict) who founded the Benedictine monastic system was born in Norcia in 480 along with his twin sister (who is also a saint), Santa Scolastica (St Scholastica in English).
Written November 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wojciech S
Gdansk, Poland
I want to know open house Badilica San Benedetta in Nurcia, about what time is siesta
Written June 24, 2024
At what time due the monks convene to chant their devotion?
Written January 21, 2016
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