THE HISTORY OF THE MONASTERY

REBUILDING

	BIRTH CONSTRUCTION DESTRUCTION		In the 18th centuary, with the passage of time, many places were reconstructed and many others added to. The Napoleonic Period, 1805-1820, and the reign of Gioacchino Murat, was a tempestuous time in the Neapolitan Republic, and the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Mountains suffered much. The Pious Workers were expelled. The numerous gifts given them were stolen and eventually lost. The monastery and church were stripped of everything. During the various initiatives of Garibaldi and the unification of Italy religious communities were dissolved, Santa Maria dei Monti was appropriated by the state and the monastery given over to the military command in Naples who used it as a rest centre for officers and the widows of soldiers. Several scandals added to the profanation of the sanctuary - the sacred furnishings were scattered, the books of the library and documents in the archives were stolen, furniture was destroyed and the refectory was turned into a ballroom. Cardinal Sisto Rilario Sforza placed an interdict on the church. The government then sacked the custodian and put the place up for sale. The Pious Workers were unable to buy back their property for lack of funds so on the 11th of March, 1882, it was bought by Don Lorenzo Apicella, Don Filippo Smaldone and Canon Antonio D'Amelio and was used as a house for the deaf and dumb until 1894. In 1898 contracts were drawn up by the Passionists and the first community was installed in January 1900.