Hermitage of Madonna dell'Altare, Romanesque hermitage near Forchetta pass, Palena, Italy.
The religious complex includes a church, residential quarters, and a rooftop garden, positioned at 1300 meters above sea level on Mount Porrara.
Pietro da Morrone, later Pope Celestine V, lived in a cave at this location between 1235 and 1238 before the Celestine monks built the structure.
The sanctuary holds religious services twice annually, with the main celebration of Madonna dell'Altare taking place on July 2nd through traditional pilgrimages.
The hermitage remains closed during winter months from November 21st until Whitsun, with guided visits arranged through Associazione Fraternitas.
The structure stands on a cliff that renders it inaccessible from three sides, with its residential area designed in the style of an aristocratic house.
Location: Palena, Abruzzo
Founders: Celestines
Architectural style: Romanesque architecture
GPS coordinates: 41.94560,14.11997
Latest update: March 3, 2025 22:10
Grotta del Cavallone
10.8 km
Basilica di Santa Maria del Colle
7.8 km
Riserva regionale Bosco di Sant'Antonio
7.6 km
Monte Porrara
3 km
Hermitage of San Michele Arcangelo
6.1 km
Santuario della Madonna della Portella
10.7 km
Hermitage of Saint Anthony
7.4 km
Church of Saint Eustace
9.5 km
Hermitage of Madonna di Coccia
7 km
Castello ducale di Palena
4.7 km
Palazzo Fanzago
7.6 km
Palazzo Grilli
7.7 km
Santa Maria delle Grazie
7.7 km
Museo del merletto a tombolo
7.6 km
Chiesa di San Falco
4.6 km
Castello di Gamberale
8.8 km
Chiesa dei Santi Nicola e Clemente
12.1 km
Chiesa di Gesù e Maria
7.9 km
Museo dell'orso marsicano
3.9 km
Sant'Antonio Abate
7.6 km
Chiesa della Madonna del Rosario
4.6 km
Chiesa di San Martino e Santa Giusta
11.4 km
San Lorenzo Martire
8.7 km
MOM-Marsicano Bear Museum
3.9 km
San Gioacchino
12.1 km
Chiesa di Santa Maria del Suffragio
7.8 km
San Nicola di Bari
9.5 km
Iuvanum Roman theater
12.2 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes