• Religious Tourism
    • Food & Wine

The herbalist traditions of Lombardy’s monasteries

Elixirs, herbal liquors, infusions: in the monasteries and abbeys of Lombardy, age-old knowledge and all manner of flavours are being combined to create top-quality herbal products. Fancy trying out a new experience and giving them a go?

Religious tourism takes us to the province of Lecco and, more specifically, to the Abbazia di Santa Maria e San Nicolò, whose liqueur emporium is an oasis for all gastronomes! The Cistercian monks produce an unbelievable range of herbal products and liqueurs, from Elixir di San Bernardo to Ferrochina Piona, Mandarino, Gran Liquore di Casamari and Alpestre. Gocce Imperiali is another popular tipple, a high-percentage liqueur which aids digestion and prevents nausea.

You can also buy liqueurs and elixirs packed with health benefits and produced according to ancient recipes at the Abbazia di Chiaravalle in Milan, while the Abbazia di San Benedetto in Seregno specialises in pollen- and honey-based products, especially the Olivety Liqueur, which is made from 22 aromatic herbs, and the Benedettino ointment.

Bitters, propolis, royal jelly, medicinal herbs and chocolate – all produced by the monks – can be snapped up at the ancient Pharmacy at the Certosa di Pavia monastery, which is one of Lombardy's best-loved tourist attractions, but it's also worth visiting the Abbazia di San Nicola in Rodengo near Brescia, which is famous for its digestives.

Herbalism is a noble, ancient art, one that has been practiced in monasteries since medieval times. Follow the religious tourism trails on our website and you'll discover an array age-old expertise, recipes and remedies.

Take me here: The herbalist traditions of Lombardy’s monasteries

On the same topic

The Way of the Monks

From Milan to Via Francigena, through the Po. The Way passes through three protected parks, a WWF oasis, monasteries and abbeys
  • Religious Tourism
The Way of the Monks

From Ca' de Mazzi to Corte Sant'Andrea

Stage 5 of the Monk’s trail
  • Religious Tourism
From Ca' de Mazzi to Corte Sant'Andrea

The Saint Columbanus way

The Saint Columbanus way is the route that,crossing the entire area of Eastern Lombardy, once led to Bobbio
  • Religious Tourism
The Saint Columbanus way

The monk’s pantry: where to indulge your tastebuds

Guide for gourmands in the monasteries of Lombardy
  • Religious Tourism
A gluttonous guide to the monasteries of Lombardy

Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII

It is located in the area called Isola Bergamasca and is now a destination for pilgrimages linked to the figure of Angelo GIuseppe Roncalli
  • Religious Tourism
Sotto il Monte - John XXVIII

La Via Matildica del Volto Santo

A great route of faith and culture
  • Religious Tourism
La Via Matildica del Volto Santo

La Via Palmaria Burdigalense

From France to the Holy Land…Passing through Italy!
  • Religious Tourism
La Via Palmaria Burdigalense

Il Cammin Breve

A "brief" guide to 7 churches in the heart of Milan
  • Religious Tourism
Il Cammin Breve

Il Cammino di Santa Giulia

A treasure among treasures of this route: the monastery complex of Santa Giulia
  • Religious Tourism
Il Cammino di Santa Giulia

Churches Monza

A journey discovering the history of the territory through architecture and spirituality.
  • Religious Tourism
Churches Monza, exploring Lombardy

Churches Mantua

Discovering the places of worship of the Mantuan area. To fill the spirit between faith and religious art
  • Religious Tourism
Churches Mantua, spiritual journeys in Lombardy

La Via Regina

The Queen of the Ways, ancient, crucial. A network of travellers’ hospices and monuments evidence of the historic importance of the route
  • Religious Tourism
La Via Regina

Churches Lodi

Discovering the places of worship of the Lodi area. To fill the spirit between faith and religious art
  • Religious Tourism
@www.lodiedintorni.com

Churches Pavia

The wonders of faith and the marvels of architecture in splendid religious buildings
  • Religious Tourism
Church Pavia, what to see

From Maiano Sant'Angelo Lodigiano to Ca' de Mazzi

An alternative route for the Fourth Stage of the Monk’s Trail
  • Religious Tourism
From Maiano Sant'Angelo Lodigiano to Ca' de Mazzi

La Strada Cluniacense della Franciacorta

Walking among vineyards and hamlets Discovering the Cluniac Abbeys
  • Religious Tourism
La Strada Cluniacense della Franciacorta

Churches Lecco

Churches, basilicas and shrines in Lecco and surroundings: a religious heritage between the Romanesque and the Marian cult
  • Religious Tourism
Churches Lecco, ideas for visiting

Churches in Lombardy

Great works of art are hosted in the churches in Lombardy. In fact, many sacred places are interesting for those who love cultural tourism
  • Religious Tourism
Churches in Lombardy, travel guide

Cammini della Regina

Percorsi storici da Coira a Como
  • Religious Tourism
Camini della Regina, religious itineraries from Coira to Como

Coira and the Historic Spluga Trail

Un percorso tutto da scoprire
  • Religious Tourism
Discover Coira and the historic Spluga Trail