Eremo di San Marco, Romanesque hermitage in Piagge, Italy.
The Eremo di San Marco is a Romanesque hermitage built into the rocky face of Colle San Marco, combining natural cave formations with blocks of travertine stone. The site takes advantage of the steep hillside and weaves the rock itself into the building's structure.
Cistercian monks founded the site in the 13th century as a place of retreat, but in 1387 the Sgariglia family took over the building and converted it into a church. This transformation reshaped how the space was used and understood.
The space shows how medieval monks organized their daily life through rooms made for prayer and contemplation, where old frescoes and family tombs still remain visible. The way rooms connect and the sparse decoration tell the story of those seeking solitude.
Reaching the hermitage requires a hike from the restaurant area along a marked forest trail with red and white blazes up the hillside. Wear appropriate footwear and allow time for the climb, as the path is steep.
Maiden hair ferns grow naturally from the walls of the building, giving it a living, organic appearance. The windows open onto views stretching across the Tronto Valley and the city far below.
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