Grotta di Sant'Angelo, Sacred cave hermitage near Balsorano, Italy
Grotta di Sant'Angelo is a cave shrine set into a mountainside near Balsorano with two stone altars inside. The natural rock wall has been adapted over generations with stone staircases and religious fixtures to welcome pilgrims.
The shrine became part of the Monte Cassino monastery network in the 13th century and later passed under the Sora diocese administration. This change ensured its continued protection and use through the following centuries.
Local visitors come to pray at the two altars and leave offerings as a personal devotion. The site has become a gathering place for people seeking spiritual comfort over the centuries.
Access is gained through staircases and paths carved into the rock face, so sturdy footwear is important. The cave remains accessible year-round, but caution is needed on the steep and damp stones.
During World War II, Indian prisoners of war who escaped from a concentration camp found shelter within these rock chambers. This overlooked episode reveals how the site protected people in times of crisis.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
