The iconic Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso located on the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore in the municipality of Leggiuno in the province of Varese is one of the most evocative, fascinating and historic places in the entire Verbano area.
Located in a beautiful position, to say the least, this medieval monastery is located perched on a rocky spur overlooking the lake basin where the waters reach a depth of 313.0 meters, overlooking an extraordinary bend towards the Borromean Archipelago in front of Stresa and with a beautiful panoramic view to the south of Belgirate and Lesa.
The chronological phases of this distinctive Lake Maggiore landmark that gave rise to its construction began with a shipwreck of the Blessed Alberto Besozzi, a merchant from Arolo who found refuge by saving himself in front of a cave on which in 1170 the Hermitage was built with its consequent ascetic existence.
Alberto Besozzi, after a vow of penance, decided to dedicate his life to becoming a hermit and a faithful religious, famous for having rescued various inhabitants of his native Arolo, a hamlet of Leggiuno, from a spread of plague and known for having ordered the construction of a reliquary very similar to the one built on the legendary Mount Sinai that preserved the remains of St. Catherine of Alexandria.
This gentleman who was beatified died in 1205, his body was buried in the rocky carving on the side of the Hermitage of Santa Caterina which became a few years later between 1230 and 1250 a frequent destination of pilgrimages especially when the Monastic Order of the Dominicans made the monastery official acquiring further importance in 1270 with the construction of the Chapel of Santa Maria Nova it was later enlarged with the construction of the small Church of St. Nicholas.
At the beginning of the 14th century, the Dominican Friars gave the management of the Cenobio to the Confraternity of the Ambrosian Hermits, a period in which other buildings were developed and in 1670 replaced by the Carmelite Friars of Mantua.
In 1770 the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso was closed and gradually declined, it was necessary to wait until 1970 to begin restoration work and above all works were carried out that saved the artistic and architectural heritage that was gradually showing considerable signs of wear and decay.
The patrimonial preservation operations continued for a long time and in 1992 some very important frescoes from the 300 were discovered, which were practically unknown at the time.
In 1986 there was the return of the Dominican Order and Santa Caterina del Sasso returned to being a site dedicated to spirituality.
The Hermitage or Monastery can be reached through two specific points, namely from the square above the complex with a staircase of 240 steps or by reaching via the lake from a staircase of 80 steps and the complex is divided by three buildings close to an impervious rocky wall.
I suggest starting the visit from the southern sector of the complex where the Convent is located, where the ancient refectory and a small shop for the sale of handicrafts are located.
Continuation by reaching a courtyard where there is a wooden press that testifies to the processing activity related to the agricultural activity inside this wonderful Hermitage and you will then find in front of a small second Convent, a place occupied by the Monks.
From this point you can get to the Church which covers the largest section in terms of surface with a beautiful façade of Renaissance matrix enlivened by an extraordinary portico formed by round arches where a magnificent cycle of frescoes attributed to one of the sons of the great artist Bernardino Luini stands out.
In the Church you can admire the Sacellum, the oldest section of the nucleus developed in 1195 with the same dimensions as the Sepulchre of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai, above a large window there is a fresco depicting the transport of the Saint with Angels and others dating back to the sixteenth century.
On a frescoed vault we can see a sunburst with the image of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, this is the exact site where the remains of Blessed Alberto Besozzi were placed, with a further fresco reproducing his image executed in 1892.
Other important works are frescoes depicting St. Catherine, Christ and Biblical scenes, a Neapolitan organ made in the late eighteenth century by Antonio Domenico Rossi and a statue of the Virgin Mary and Child dating back to the seventeenth century.
Afterwards you can admire the Bell Tower which boasts a height of about 15.0 meters built in the fourteenth century which was originally the bell tower of the Church of St. Nicholas with an entrance now walled up and in modern times accessible through the Renaissance portico and at this point the visit ends.
The Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso was a protagonist in the cinema industry, filmed in images in the movie by Dino Risi La Stanza del Vescovo produced in 1977 and in the television drama "The Betrothed" directed by Salvatore Nocita in 1989, representing the Convent where Fra Cristoforo resided, despite the fact that the novel by Alessandro Manzoni was set on Lake Como.
At the end of the visit, time for your lunch in a restaurant in Leggiuno, I recommend about traditional dishes Tagliatelle with Cream and Ham or Risotto with Herbs, among the main courses Trout in Foil with Boiled Potatoes Marinated in Rosemary or Grilled Chicken Breast with Cantello Asparagus browned in Butter and Vinegar.
A visit to Santa Caterina del Sasso is a must if you visit the Maggiore area, an absolute landmark that will remain etched in your memories for its scenic beauty and for the historical meanings that have made it so famous and evocative.
Link : http://www.santacaterinadelsasso.com/
Where to Stay | Recommended Accomodation
Tina Yellow Home
Cascina Riva
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