![Eremo delle Carceri (Hermitage of the Prisons), Assisi](/img/gd_attr/7075.jpg)
Eremo delle Carceri (Hermitage of the Prisons), Assisi (must see)
Throughout Assisi, you'll encounter images of the famous Hermitage, an active monastery nestled in oak woods some 6 kilometers east of the town. This hermitage served as an early retreat for Saint Francis and his followers, with legends recounting miraculous events such as the saint causing the courtyard well to flow, as depicted by Giotto. The so-called Oratorio Primitivo, a cell within the monastery, is believed to be the one occupied by Francis himself.
Inside the monastery's chapel, visitors can view various relics, including Francis's pillow and a fragment of the Golden Gate through which Jesus entered Jerusalem. Although the Hermitage once possessed additional treasures, such as a lock of the Virgin's hair and earth from the mound used to create Adam, these items have since vanished.
Tales associated with Saint Francis abound here, nevertheless. On one side of the church, there is a dry riverbed that reputedly fills only during times of public calamity, said to be a result of Francis's intervention. Another wall of the monastery was constructed over the "buco del diavolo" (devil's hole), into which Francis purportedly cast a devil through the power of prayer. An ancient holm oak, supported by iron stakes, is said to have shaded the saint and served as a gathering place for birds to hear his sermons.
While the Hermitage is accessible by road, the recommended approach is via footpath. Starting from Porta Cappuccini, visitors can follow a steep climb through cypress-lined tracks behind Rocca Minore. At a major fork along the path, turn right and continue until reaching the road above the monastery. Allow at least an hour for the journey, less for the return trip.
Inside the monastery's chapel, visitors can view various relics, including Francis's pillow and a fragment of the Golden Gate through which Jesus entered Jerusalem. Although the Hermitage once possessed additional treasures, such as a lock of the Virgin's hair and earth from the mound used to create Adam, these items have since vanished.
Tales associated with Saint Francis abound here, nevertheless. On one side of the church, there is a dry riverbed that reputedly fills only during times of public calamity, said to be a result of Francis's intervention. Another wall of the monastery was constructed over the "buco del diavolo" (devil's hole), into which Francis purportedly cast a devil through the power of prayer. An ancient holm oak, supported by iron stakes, is said to have shaded the saint and served as a gathering place for birds to hear his sermons.
While the Hermitage is accessible by road, the recommended approach is via footpath. Starting from Porta Cappuccini, visitors can follow a steep climb through cypress-lined tracks behind Rocca Minore. At a major fork along the path, turn right and continue until reaching the road above the monastery. Allow at least an hour for the journey, less for the return trip.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Assisi. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Eremo delle Carceri (Hermitage of the Prisons) on Map
Sight Name: Eremo delle Carceri (Hermitage of the Prisons)
Sight Location: Assisi, Italy (See walking tours in Assisi)
Sight Type: Religious
Sight Location: Assisi, Italy (See walking tours in Assisi)
Sight Type: Religious
Walking Tours in Assisi, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Assisi
Creating your own self-guided walk in Assisi is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
St. Francis' Assisi Walking Tour
A holy city for Christians, Assisi has been an eternal destination of pilgrimage since the 13th century for those venerating Saint Francis and wanting to the see where he was born, worked, died and was buried. As the birthplace of one of Catholicism’s most revered saints (and one of Italy's two saintly patrons), Assisi holds religion very close to its heart.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The entire city-sanctuary –... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Assisi Introduction Walking Tour
Assisi is located on the western slope of Mount Subasio. It is 1,300 feet above sea level, overlooking the rivers Topino and Chiasicio. It is a walled city with narrow, twisting streets and alleys. It originally was known as Assisium. Successively Umbrian, Etruscan and Roman, it became a Ghibelline commune in the 11th century.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
There were clashes with Guelph Perugia. In the battle of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles