Photo: Superchilum, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Abbey / Monastery
Eremo delle Carceri
Catholic sanctuary in Italy
At a glance
- Type
- Abbey / Monastery
- Protection
- Italian national heritage
- UNESCO World Heritage
- Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites
- Coordinates
- 43°03′47″ N, 12°39′07″ E
History and description
The Eremo delle Carceri ("Sanctuary of Eremo delle Carceri") is a hermitage complex located 791 metres (2,595 ft) above sea level in a steep forest gorge upon Monte Subasio, in Umbria, in central Italy, four kilometers above Assisi.
History
The name Carceri derives from the Latin carceres, meaning "isolated places" or "prisons". The steps and bows of the gorge arch over a quatrefoil-shaped hole in the smooth pink stone, a natural grotto (the so-called "Hole of the Devil").
In the 13th century, Saint Francis of Assisi would often come to this place to pray and contemplate, as did other hermits before him. When he first came in 1205, the only building here was a tiny 12th-century oratory. Soon, other men followed him to the mountain, finding their own isolated caves nearby in which to pray. The oratory became known as Santa Maria delle Carceri after the small "prisons" occupied by friars in the area.
The site and the oratory was probably given by the Benedictines to St. Francis in 1215, at the same time they gave him the Porziuncola in the valley below. Francis dedicated himself to a life of preaching and missions, but throughout his life he would frequently withdraw to the Carceri to pray.
Around 1400, Saint Bernardino of Siena built a small friary, which includes a little choir and a simple refectory. The original wooden stalls of the choir and the tables of the refectory, which date from the 15th century, can still be seen on site. St. Bernardino also extended the earlier chapel by building a small church, which was also named Santa Maria delle Carceri. It contains a notable altarpiece fresco of the Virgin and Child.
In the centuries that followed, various buildings were added around St. Francis' cave and the original oratory, forming the sizable complex that exists today. Today some Franciscan friars live there and visitors are welcome.
Near the hermitage is a stone bridge and an ancient oak. According to legend, it was here that Saint Francis preached to the birds as they perched in the oak's branches.
Buildings
A variety of buildings were added around the cave and the original oratory, creating a large complex.
‘‘‘Entrance’’’ – From the gate and short tunnel leads into a courtyard and a well, said to have yielded water after a prayer of St. Francis. The door marked Santuario leads into the 15th-century oratory built by St. Bernardine of Siena.
St. Bernardine also built a small friary, which includes a little choir with wood stalls of c.1400 and a simple refectory with the original tables from c.1400. These two interesting areas can only be visited if accompanied by a friar of the community.
(12th-century) and more rustic Cappella della Madonna, with an altarpiece fresco of the Virgin and Child.
The Grotto of St. Francis, where the saint prayed and slept on a stone bed while on retreat toward the end of his life.
Devils Hole, through another doorway and rounding a corner, visitors emerge into a small porch. Just outside the door, look down for a quatrefoil-shaped hole in the smooth pink stone. into which St. Francis is said to have tossed a troublesome demon who tempted Brother Rufino.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Eremo delle Carceri».
Photos
Getting there
CannaraTrain, nearest
5.2 km as the crow flies
Eremo delle Carceri
Aeroporto Internazionale dell'Umbria - Perugia "San Francesco d'Assisi"12.2 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore abbeys and monasteries in Umbria
Frequently asked questions
Where is Eremo delle Carceri?
Eremo delle Carceri is in Assisi, in the province of Perugia (Umbria), Italy. GPS coordinates: 43.06311, 12.65191.
What are the opening hours of Eremo delle Carceri?
According to OpenStreetMap the opening hours are: November to March · Monday to Saturday: 6:30–12:45, 14:30–18:00; November to March · Sunday: 7:30–12:45, 14:30–18:00; April to October · Monday to Saturday: 6:30–12:45, 14:30–19:00; April to October · Sunday: 7:30–12:45, 14:30–19:00. Always check the official website before your visit.
What else is there to see near Eremo delle Carceri?
Nearby you’ll find: Museo arti e mestieri dell'Umbria (2.7 km away), Basilica di Santa Chiara (2.9 km away), Assisi Diocesan Museum (2.9 km away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 8 photos
- Eremo delle Carceri 01 — Superchilum, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Affresco interno Eremo delle Carceri — Andreas_Lattmann, CC0
- Assisi - Eremo delle Carceri - 001 — Diego Baglieri, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Assisi - Eremo delle Carceri - 2023-09-25 23-14-52 001 — Bramfab, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Eremo delle Carceri 02 — Superchilum, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Assisi Carceri1 04-06 — No machine-readable author provided. Seth2402~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain
- Eremo Chapel in the Wood — Gunnar Bach Pedersen, Public domain
- Assisi02 flickr — pizzodisevo, CC BY-SA 2.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences