On November 4, 2026, the first episode of “A VIP in the Convent” airs, a new TV program ready to keep everyone glued to the screen. Farewell to notifications and dates for the lead, Mariana D’Amico, one of the most loved faces from “Married at First Sight”, who decides to participate in the project amid dawn wake-ups and prayers.
The new Real Time special, a spin-off of “Ti spedisco in convento”, premieres Wednesday, November 4 at 9:30 PM on channel 31 of digital terrestrial and is also available for streaming on Discovery+. Welcoming Mariana D’Amico are Mother Noemi, Sister Myriam, Sister Eleonora, and Sister Debora, already known to the audience of The Monks’ Kitchen. Between shifts in the garden, recipes and setting aside the phone, the Milanese real estate agent finds herself facing unexpected emotions.
But the real surprise is the location: a monastery housed in an ancient Umbrian fortress where, unbelievable as it may seem, you can even stay overnight.
Where is the monastery of “A VIP in the Convent” located
To locate the program’s convent, head to Bastia Umbra, in the province of Perugia, just a few kilometers from Assisi. The filming location is the Monastery of the Benedictine nuns of Sant’Anna, and it isn’t the typical religious building one might picture: the community lives inside the Rocca Baglionesca, a medieval fortress whose walls and towers still exude their historical charm.
How to get there
Those traveling by car can plan a distinctive weekend in Umbria by staying right inside the monastery of “A VIP in the Convent.” Take the SS75, exit at Bastia Umbra, then enter the final destination into your GPS to reach it. Those arriving by train can disembark directly at the town’s station and continue on foot.
How to stay overnight
The news that will raise some eyebrows among fans of unconventional stays? You don’t need to be a TV personality to cross these walls. The Benedictine nuns run a guesthouse with 25 beds, open to individuals, couples, families, pilgrims, and groups. You can come for a spiritual retreat, a moment of silence, or simply to spend a few days in Umbria at a slower pace.
The facility offers single, double and multiple rooms, with private bathroom, bed linen, towels, and heating. Guests also have access to Wi‑Fi, a library, common areas and a kitchen to prepare meals on their own.
And the price? Here comes the special detail: there’s no fixed rate. The stay operates through freewill donations to support the community, in keeping with the Benedictine spirit of hospitality.
History and curiosities of the monastery
Before becoming a place of silence and contemplation, these walls were designed to defend, not to host spiritual retreats. In the 15th century the fortress came under the influence of the Baglioni family, while the Benedictines tied to San Paolo delle Abbadesse had to leave Bastia due to tensions between Perugia and Assisi.
The turning point arrived in 1602: by the will of Pope Clement VIII, the fortress was entrusted to the Comune to be transformed into a female convent with a church. Today it houses the church of Sant’Anna; it is a religious site but also a place where one can stay.
