• Religious Tourism
    • Lakes
    • Tourism Accessible

The hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso

Where
Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso
Via Santa Caterina, 13, Leggiuno (VA)
Contacts
+39 0332 647014
Official site

The hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso stands on a cliff overlooking Lake Maggiore, in Leggiuno, a virtual balcony facing the lake.

The Hermitage can be reached from the square above, from where, having parked in one of the numerous parking spaces, visitors can descend the panoramic, 268-step staircase; or, if they have arrived by boat, they climb approximately 80 steps up from the lake. Visitors can also reach the Hermitage easily by taking the elevator, the entrance to which is near the car park.

Regardless of how you get there, it's worth it to visit one of Lake Maggiore's most fascinating historical sites.

The Monastery of Santa Caterina del Sasso was founded in the 13th and 14th century by a local merchant, Alberto Besozzi, who after asking Santa Caterina for help during a violent storm, found himself on a rock hanging over the water. In 1195 he built a small church as a sign of thanks for the grace received from the Saint. In 14th century a community of Augustinian monks came to live in the hermitage, followed by the Ambrosian Hermits in 1379 and by the Carmelites in 1649.

After being managed by these various monastic orders, the monastery is currently governed by the Benedictine Oblates.

The hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso consists of three buildings: the southern convent, the convent and the church. As they approach the hermitage visitors are greeted by a long corridor bordered by round arches with granite columns that run along the southern convent.

They will then enter chapter room where they can admire the beautiful frescoes, brought to light by expert restorers. The visit continues in the small convent, situated in front of the courtyard of the press and embellished with an arcade of pointed arches. The dining hall is on the ground floor and the monks' chambers are on the first floor.

Finally, the inner courtyard opens onto the small church flanked by the 14th-century bell tower. Inside, the altar is surrounded by murals of great artistic value.

Thanks to its unique location, beautiful surroundings and unique view of Lake Maggiore, the Monastery of Santa Caterina del Sasso appears to have been built as a place for rediscovering inner peace and to experience tranquillity.


Opening hours

March
Every day: 9.00am - 12.00pm and 2.00pm - 5.00pm

From April to October
Every day: 9.00am - 12.00pm and 2.00pm - 6.00pm

From November to February
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 9.00am - 12.00pm and 2.00pm - 5.00pm

Open every day from December 23rd to January 6th


Other links

Informazioni per turisti con disabilità
Take me here: The hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso

Places

Leggiuno

  • Villages
Leggiuno
1.04 km

Church of the invention of santo stefano

  • Religious Tourism
Church of the Invention of Santo Stefano
2.29 km

International museum of ceramic design

  • Art & Culture
International Museum of Ceramic Design
2.71 km

Underwater Nativity

  • Lifestyle
Ph: I Mille
3.28 km

Necropoli di Caravate

Complesso di quattordici sepolture a inumazione fra l’VIII e il IX secolo
  • Art & Culture
Necropoli di Caravate
3.62 km

Laveno Mombello

  • Lakes
Laveno Mombello
4.29 km

Laveno Mombello | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • Lakes
Laveno Mombello | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau
4.29 km

Lake Maggiore villages

La sponda lombarda del lago: relax e borghi
  • Lakes
Lake Maggiore villages
4.29 km

Laveno

  • Lakes
Lago Maggiore-Laveno-panoramica da San Clemente
4.29 km

Salvini museum

Innocenzo Salvini art gallery in Cocquio Trevisago
  • Art & Culture
Salvini museum
5.52 km

The Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Madre

  • Lakes
The Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Madre
6.64 km

Ispra

  • Lakes
Ispra
6.77 km

Golf dei Laghi

The undulating of the Golf dei Laghi, hilly course offers breathtaking views of Monte Rosa and Lake Maggiore, making the game enjoyable.
  • Golf
Golf dei Laghi, Travedona Monate (VA)
8 km

Casalzuigno

Between history and art: from Valcuvia man to erratic boulders
  • Art & Culture
Casalzuigno
8.26 km

The Lime Tree of Orino

  • Art & Culture
The Lime Tree of Orino
8.74 km

Villa della Porta Bozzolo

Villa Bozzolo, with its Rococo trompe-l’oeil and walls and Baroque decor, is one of Lombardy’s best-known “pleasure villas”.
  • Art & Culture
Villa Della Porta Bozzolo, Monumenti Varese
8.86 km

Lake Monate

  • Lakes
Lake Monate
9.64 km

Arcumeggia

The town of painted houses
  • Art & Culture
Arcumeggia
9.65 km

Swimmable Beaches on Lake Maggiore

  • Lakes
Grassy lakeside with lake and mountains and people walking and engaging in activities at sunset.
10.91 km

Prehistoric Alpine Stilt Houses

  • Unesco Sites
Palafitte Arco Alpino
11.02 km
prev
next
1
20

Activities

Bike Tour around the Lakes of Comabbio and Varese

  • Cycle Tourism
Bike Tour around the Lakes of Comabbio and Varese
14.68 km
prev
next
1
1

Where to sleep

CAV Leggiuno Doniselli

LEGGIUNO
CAV Leggiuno Doniselli
166 mt

Loc. turist. APP. B

LEGGIUNO
Loc. turist. APP. B
191 mt

Loc. Turist. APP. A

Leggiuno
Loc. Turist. APP. A
191 mt

Loc. Tur. Bigoni

LEGGIUNO
Loc. Tur. Bigoni
503 mt

Around Lago Maggiore Rooms & Apartments 505

LEGGIUNO
Around Lago Maggiore Rooms & Apartments 505
783 mt

Around Lago Maggiore Rooms & Apartments 504

LEGGIUNO
Around Lago Maggiore Rooms & Apartments 504
812 mt

Around Lago Maggiore Rooms & Apartments 502

LEGGIUNO
Around Lago Maggiore Rooms & Apartments 502
812 mt

Around Lago Maggiore Rooms & Apartments 501

LEGGIUNO
Around Lago Maggiore Rooms & Apartments 501
812 mt

Around Lago Maggiore Rooms & Apartments 507

LEGGIUNO
Around Lago Maggiore Rooms & Apartments 507
815 mt

Aroud Lago Maggiore Rooms & Apartments 506

LEGGIUNO
Aroud Lago Maggiore Rooms & Apartments 506
815 mt

HOTEL IL BUCANIERE

Leggiuno
HOTEL IL BUCANIERE
844 mt

LA CASA AL LAGO

Leggiuno
LA CASA AL LAGO
844 mt

Casa Sofia

LEGGIUNO
Casa Sofia
853 mt

Loc. turist. MIRASOLE Giovanni

LEGGIUNO
Loc. turist. MIRASOLE Giovanni
877 mt

Loc. Tur. Galliena Leggiuno

LEGGIUNO
Loc. Tur. Galliena Leggiuno
902 mt

CAV Leggiuno Introna

LEGGIUNO
CAV Leggiuno Introna
902 mt

Mirasole Holiday House

LEGGIUNO
Mirasole Holiday House
902 mt

Loc. Tur. Frizzarin

LEGGIUNO
Loc. Tur. Frizzarin
909 mt

La Cruna del Lago - LR78

Leggiuno
La Cruna del Lago - LR78
912 mt

The Lake House

LEGGIUNO
The Lake House
912 mt
prev
next
1
20