These days many monasteries and nunneries in Europe are open their iron doors to overnight visitors. For instance the Monastero S. Groce in Liguria, Italy has entered the modern age of tourism: it has a Web Site and accepts credit cards.

Monastero S. Groce’s interior.

Tourists  in the garden at Monastero S. Groce.

In some monasteries, there are hotels occupying deconsecrated religious quarters. At the Hotel Monasterium Poortackere in Chent, Belgium, guests can choose between three-star hotel rooms starting at 115 Euros at night.

Monasterium Poortackero’s interior.

The gardens surrounding Monasterium Poortackere.