Eremo delle Carceri, Franciscan monastery on Monte Subasio, Assisi, Italy
The hermitage spreads across a wooded gorge on Monte Subasio, connecting several chapels, caves and narrow stone passages. The complex sits at nearly 800 meters elevation among dense holm oaks and follows the natural shape of the rock.
Francesco arrived when only a small chapel existed, and received the site from the Benedictines in 1215. The complex grew during the 15th century under Bernardino of Siena, who added more buildings.
The name comes from the Italian word for prison, referring to the cells where friars withdrew for solitude. Visitors today can still see how monks live and work in the narrow rock chambers, each cell measuring only a few square meters.
The path from the parking area leads downhill through the forest and takes about ten minutes on foot. The stone paths can become slippery when wet, so sturdy shoes are recommended.
An old holm oak tree along the path bears traces of iron chains that once supported branches said to have bent under the weight of birds. The tree has been cared for over centuries and remains a living sign among the friars of the sermon to the animals.
Location: Assisi
Part of: Town of Assisi, San Damiano, Eremo delle Carceri, Santuario di Rivotorto and cultural landscape
GPS coordinates: 43.06311,12.65191
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:25
Umbria preserves traces of over two millennia of history through its archaeological sites, religious monuments, and remarkable natural formations. The region features underground complexes such as Orvieto Underground with its 1,200 passages carved into volcanic tuff, and Narni Underground, revealing medieval chapels and remains of Roman aqueducts. Visitors also explore the Dunarobba Fossil Forest, where 50 petrified tree trunks dating back three million years showcase the region's geological evolution. Medieval castles like Rocca Albornoziana overlook ancient towns, while monasteries such as San Pietro in Valle and Eremo delle Carceri maintain medieval art and spirituality. The Umbrian landscape stretches from Gubbio's Roman theaters to mountain villages like Castelluccio, perched at 1,452 meters (4,764 feet) above sea level, and includes the Nera Natural Park, which protects over 2,120 hectares (5,243 acres) of forests and limestone formations. These sites trace the region’s history from the Etruscan civilization through the Renaissance.
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