Description of the attraction
Eremo delle Carceri is a small hermitage located in a wooded gorge at the foot of Monte Subasio in Umbria, 4 km from Assisi. This whole natural area, shaped like a huge hole in the form of a four-leafed leaf, is called the "Devil's Throat." And the word "karcheri" in translation from the Latin language means "an isolated place, a prison."
In the 13th century, Saint Francis of Assisi returned here several times to pray and meditate, as many hermits did before him. When he first came here in 1205, the only local building was a tiny chapel built in the 12th century. Soon other hermits followed the saint and found refuge in isolated caves. The chapel was named Santa Maria delle Carceri because the caves in which the monks lived looked like dungeons.
Probably in 1215 this place, together with the chapel, was donated to Saint Francis by the Benedictine Order. Then they handed over to him the small church of Porciunculu, located below in the valley. Francis of Assisi himself devoted his life to preaching and missionary work, but he retired to Karcheri more than once to be alone with God. On the stone bridge, you can still see an oak tree, in the branches of which the birds lived, with which, according to legend, the saint communicated.
Around 1400, Saint Bernardino of Siena built a small monastery here with small choirs with wooden seats and a simple refectory that still houses 15th century tables. He also erected the church of Santa Maria delle Carceri, in which today you can see the altarpiece depicting the Virgin Mary with the Child.
In the centuries that followed, many different buildings were erected around the cave of St. Francis and the original chapel, which became part of a huge monastery complex that still exists today. Despite the fact that monks live here today, visitors are always welcome.
