- UNESCO
Photo: Gianni Careddu, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Abbey / Monastery, 12th century
Saint Catherine of the Rock
Abbey building in Leggiuno, Italy
At a glance
- Type
- Abbey / Monastery
- Period
- Middle Ages, 12th century
- Styles
- Romanesque architecture, Renaissance architecture
- Dedicated to
- Catherine of Alexandria
- Area
- 1,300 m²
- Protection
- Italian national heritage
- Coordinates
- 45°52′39″ N, 8°35′49″ E
- Address
- Via Santa Caterina, 5 - Leggiuno
History and description
Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso (Italian: Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso) is a Roman Catholic monastery located in the municipality of Leggiuno, in the Province of Varese and the region of Lombardy, Italy. It is perched on a rocky ridge on the eastern shore 16m above Lake Maggiore.
The monastery can be reached on foot by descending down a long winding stairway or by taking an elevator or by a number of ferry services or boats that dock at the pier.
The construction of the monastery dates from the 14th century, although the more recent frescos are from the 19th century. It consists of three buildings: the southern convent, the convent and the main church. In 1914 it was declared a national monument. You get the best view of Santa Caterina from the ferry boat on the Lago Maggiore, and the first thing you see is that the monastery consists of three chapels.
History
Alberto Besozzi founded Santa Caterina del Sasso, a wealthy cloth merchant who survived a violent storm at sea. After that experience, he lived as a hermit in a grotto at exactly this place. In 1195 he was asked for spiritual support by the residents of Lago Maggiore. In return, he asked to construct a chapel, Santa Caterina del Sasso. Alberto Besozzi died in 1205 and was buried there. This was the beginning of this fascinating monastery, and it was extended over the centuries. Inside are excellent frescoes from the 13th to the 17th century. The first chapel, the chapter house, was extended by an additional floor in the 17th century, and the famous frescoes of the great crucifixion got heavily damaged. The main chapel is the most beautiful, with frescoes in the baroque vault in the nave. You will also find a wooden replica of the eremite in the back of the main chapel.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Saint Catherine of the Rock».
Timeline
- 12th centuryBuilt
Events and people from Wikidata (CC0).
Photos
Getting there
SangianoTrain, nearest
2.7 km as the crow flies
Saint Catherine of the RockVia Santa Caterina, 5 - Leggiuno
Santa Caterina100 m
Aeroporto di Lugano-Agno28.1 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore abbeys and monasteries in Lombardy
- Free 1st Sunday
- UNESCO
Frequently asked questions
Where is Saint Catherine of the Rock?
Saint Catherine of the Rock is in Leggiuno, in the province of Varese (Lombardy), Italy. Address: Via Santa Caterina, 5 - Leggiuno. GPS coordinates: 45.87751, 8.59681.
How old is Saint Catherine of the Rock?
Wikidata dates it to the 12th century.
What else is there to see near Saint Catherine of the Rock?
Nearby you’ll find: Museo internazionale design ceramico - Civica raccolta di Terraglia (2.3 km away), Villa Pallavicino (3.7 km away), Villa Castello Minola (3.9 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 9 photos
- Leggiuno, eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso (05) — Gianni Careddu, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso - panoramio — Pier B., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Leggiuno - eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso - 2026-09-26 14-13-51 001 — BelPatty86, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Leggiuno - Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso - Lago Maggiore - panoramio (9) — Andrea Albini, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Leggiuno - Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso Ballaro - 2024-09-29 17-47-25 001 — Eledani1668, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Leggiuno - Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso Ballaro - 2025-09-23 22-01-06 001 — StefanoPorta67, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Leggiuno, eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso (08) — Gianni Careddu, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2024 Santa Caterina del Sasso — Tiia Monto, CC BY 4.0
- Kloster Santa Caterina del Sasso Ballaro 04 — Helmlechner, CC0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences