• 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

Lecco: Places and Streets of Faith

The province of Lecco, a treasure trove of faith and culture
  • Religious Tourism
Lecco: Luoghi e Vie della Fede

Candle production in Lombardy’s monasteries

Laboratories and purchases of candles in the Lombardy monasteries
  • Religious Tourism
The monasteries of Lombardy are producing and selling their own candles

La Via Matildica del Volto Santo

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

The via Francigena

A road travelled for centuries by pilgrims, who headed South and made enormous sacrifices to reach the goal of the longed-for eternal city.
  • Religious Tourism
The via Francigena

Corte Sant'Andrea and the Via Francigena

Follow the Via Francigena through Lodi to discover a world of history and tradition
  • Religious Tourism
Corte Sant'Andrea and the Via Francigena

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

Church Sondrio

Along the mountain paths, to discover the paths of faith...
  • Religious Tourism
Church Sondrio, what to see

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

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

Churches Pavia

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

Cammini della Regina

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

Cammino di Sant'Agostino

Retracing the Way of one of the most important figures of history will give an important new dimension to your awareness of life
  • Religious Tourism
Cammino di Sant'Agostino

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

Hospitality, monastery-style

Convents and monasteries places historically open to hospitality
  • Religious Tourism
Stay the night in a Lombardy monastery

Churches Brescia

The religious one is a richness for Brescia which is one of the Italian cities with the highest number of churches on its territory
  • Religious Tourism
Churches Brescia, what to see in Lombardy

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

Medieval cookery at the Abbazia di Morimondo

Gastronomic experiences at the Abbey of Morimondo
  • Religious Tourism
Gastronomic experiences at the Abbazia di Morimondo

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

Monks and beer cross paths in Monza and Buccinasco

Craft breweries in the monasteries of Lombardy
  • Religious Tourism
Craft beer brewing in the monasteries of Lombardy

Il Cammin Breve

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