The Convent of Saint Matthew was erected on a high slope of the Celano Mountain east of San Marco in Lamis. The convent was a compulsory destination for pilgrims on their way to Monte Sant’Angelo. Built in the 6th Century around the time the Lombard rule, it was first dedicated to San Giovanni Battista, later to San Giovanni Lamis and then to Saint Matthew. This was an important Benedictine centre dominating the Capitanata area. It was a Cistercian convent between 1311 and 1578 and then passed to the Franciscan Friars who are today’s incumbents.
