The Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso in Leggiuno
To visit the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso in Leggiuno (Italy), the best means of transportation is by car.
The complex has a large parking area, and parking is free.
After leaving the car, you walk for about a hundred meters to reach the entrance square and the refreshment area.
You reach it by descending a very panoramic and suggestive path made up of 268 steps, wearing comfortable shoes, of course.
The Hermitage, nestled in the rock overlooking the lake, can be reached by everyone, including the elderly and differently-abled individuals, with a convenient elevator that leads to the entrance of the Hermitage in just a few minutes.
Considering the elevation change, the journey can be made, for example, by descending on foot and ascending by elevator.
The Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso is of extraordinary beauty and undoubtedly one of the most historically rich religious architectures.
The Hermitage of Santa Caterina: some historical insights
It is a monastery and a pilgrimage site known for its legend. It is said that in the 13th century, a Milanese merchant shipwrecked on Lake Maggiore during a storm and was saved by the apparition of Santa Caterina, who asked him to build a sanctuary in her honor. The merchant kept his promise, and the construction of the Hermitage began in the 1300s, with the addition of new buildings and decorations over the centuries.
The Hermitage consists of several buildings, including the Church of Santa Caterina, the Friars’ Cloister, the Chapel of San Nicola, the Chapter Hall, and the Cellars. They are all nestled on the cliff overlooking the lake, offering a spectacular view of the waters and surrounding mountains. Throughout its history, the Hermitage has hosted monks and pilgrims, as well as important visitors such as San Carlo Borromeo in 1570.
Over the years, the sanctuary has undergone expansions, restorations, and decorations by renowned artists of the time. Today, the Hermitage of Santa Caterina is a popular tourist destination and a place of worship visited by thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year.
