Convent of Monte Mesma

Place of art and spirituality

In the municipality of Ameno, Monte Mesma is home to a quiet seventeenth-century Franciscan convent with its church, on a hill at 576 meters above sea level. The panoramic view from the churchyard is very suggestive and takes the eye not only to the nearby town of Orta San Giulio, but also towards the Monte Rosa massif, the second highest in Europe.

In the summer, the Fraternity of Monte Mesma offers some spiritual activities for all those who seek time to dedicate to prayer, silence and meditation, but it also reserves a smiling welcome for those who want to spend a few hours collected, surrounded by the natural beauty of a place that can be easily reached both by car and on foot.

The construction of the church and the convent dates back to 1619, thanks to the use of materials left after the demolition of a castle at the top of the hill. A single nave is dominated by the large Crucifix sculpted in 1712 by the Milanese sculptor Lentignani. Two cloisters characterize the complex, the first one located almost immediately after the entrance served to offer shelter to pilgrims and wayfarers while in the center of the second, the well once provided water to the community of friars. From here you reach the “sala dello Stufone” with the stove in black Oira stone built in 1727.

From Lortallo, where you leave your car in the parking lot, you walk along the Via Crucis on foot, uphill, leading to the convent in about 20 minutes. The less steep road to reach the convent is the “percorso dei Castagni”, also in about 20 minutes of walking. It is also possible to reach the Convent by car, via the asphalt road.