Hermitage of the Carceri

Long before Saint Francis arrived, these caves on the slopes of Mount Subasio were already known as a place of retreat. Originally held by the Benedictine monks, the site was eventually gifted to the followers of Francis, who sought a place to escape the increasing attention they were receiving in the town below. The name Carceri itself comes from the Latin word for prison, as the friars felt they were incarcerating themselves in prayer, choosing the harsh conditions of the mountain over the comforts of conventional life. The atmosphere of the site shifted in the fifteenth century when Saint Bernardino of Siena arrived. Recognizing the importance of preserving the memory of these early days, he oversaw the expansion of the hermitage. He commissioned the construction of the church of Santa Maria delle Carceri, which was built around the original small chapel. This transformation turned a collection of rough, scattered caves into a more structured sanctuary, allowing the site to accommodate the growing number of visitors while still respecting the ascetic lifestyle of the friars. Today, the hermitage stands as a bridge between history and nature. Walking the steep, rocky paths through the ancient holm oak forest, you find yourself in an environment that feels untouched by time. The site remains a powerful testament to the simplicity and devotion of the Franciscan tradition. It is a place where history is not found in books, but in the walls of the small stone cells and the damp, cool air of the caves, inviting every visitor to step back from the modern world and find a moment of stillness.