Eremo delle Carceri: an ancient stone sanctuary on Mount Subasio, surrounded by greenery and Franciscan spirituality.
View on map

Eremo delle Carceri, Saint Francis’ place of retreat

The Eremo delle Carceri is a sanctuary nestled in the dense forest of Mount Subasio, about 4 km from Assisi and at an altitude of 800 meters. It was here that Saint Francis and his first companions secluded themselves in contemplation, embracing an austere life of intense prayer.

The word "Carceri", which might be misleading, does not mean “prison” but comes from the Latin “carcer”, meaning a secluded and solitary place. From this origin derives the verb “carcerare”, referring to the act of monks retreating into hermitic isolation for prayer.

It was the Benedictine monks who, in 1215, donated the Eremo delle Carceri to Saint Francis, making it one of the most significant sites of Franciscan spirituality. Surrounded by a silent and peaceful forest of ancient holm oaks, Saint Francis fulfilled his vocation, deepening his prayer life.

Saint Francis’ Cave: between stories and legends

Descending through a narrow passage, one reaches Saint Francis’ Cave, where, according to Franciscan tradition, the saint experienced his first true meditation, a moment of profound transformation. Another story tells of Saint Rufino, a companion of Saint Francis, who overcame temptation by the devil. It is said that the hole in the ground inside the cave was created by the defeated demon, who was cast into the abyss. Contrary to popular belief, Saint Francis’ famous sermon to the birds did not take place here. Historical sources confirm that this event actually occurred in Piandarca, a village in the municipality of Cannara.

Entrance of the Eremo delle Carceri: a stone arch with a faded sacred fresco, coats of arms, and signs inviting silence.

Entrance of the Eremo delle Carceri

Statue of Saint Francis, surrounded by greenery, with open arms as a sign of welcome and spirituality.

Statue of Saint Francis

Ancient stone walls of the Eremo delle Carceri overlooking the wooded valley of Mount Subasio.

Walls of the Eremo delle Carceri

Refectory of the Eremo delle Carceri, carved into the rock, with ancient frescoes and simple wooden furnishings.

Refectory of the Eremo delle Carceri

The cloister and the sacred places of the hermitage

Thanks to the ingenuity and dedication of the friars, the structure has been expanded over time, particularly in the early 1400s, at the initiative of Saint Bernardine of Siena.

In the small cloister of the sanctuary, visitors can admire the renowned Well of Saint Francis and enjoy a breathtaking view that, through a gorge of Mount Subasio, opens onto the Spoleto Valley.

From the cloister, one can explore the spiritual wonders of the site: the small convent, a masterpiece of Franciscan simplicity and perfect harmony; the Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene, where Friar Barnaba da Terni is buried—founder in 1462 of the Monte di Pietà in Perugia, an institution that offered interest-free loans to those in need in exchange for a pledged item; and the Oratory of Saint Mary, where Saint Francis and his companions gathered for communal prayer.

Finally, a bridge connects the hermitage to another part of the forest, where the caves of Friar Leo and other companions of the saint are still visible.

Throughout the year, visitors may be welcomed by the local Franciscan community, offering an opportunity to experience the silence and unspoiled nature of this remarkable place, rediscovering and immersing themselves in the Franciscan way of life.

For more information: santuarioeremodellecarceri.org

Explore the surroundings
Main attractions in the vicinity