Eremo delle Carceri, Assisi 
The peaceful Eremo delle Carceri. Photo
Yuri Baratta & Vera Sala.
The Eremo delle Carceri on mountain slopes. Photo
C.J. Peters.
Entrance to the Eremo. Photo
Peter Forster.
Chapel with frescoes. Photo
Peter Forster.
Outdoor chapel. Photo
C.J. Peters.In the caves on the slope of Monte Subasio, St. Francis and his followers established their first home at the Eremo delle Carceri, just outside the walls of Assisi. He often returned here during his life to pray and contemplate.
What to See
The peacefully isolated church and monastery on the densely wooded slopes retain the tranquil, contemplative air St. Francis so prized.
In addition to the atmosphere, the Eremo is well worth visiting to see:
- the stone bed where Francis slept;
- a few worn frescoes;
- the site where Francis caused water to gush from the rocks;
- the crevice where he tossed a pesky demon back down to hell; and
- the ancient ilex tree, now on iron crutches, held to be the very one where the saint famously preached his sermons to the birds.
The monks still living here will show you around. True to their Franciscan heritage, the friars here are entirely dependent on alms from visitors, so a nice tip is appreciated.
The hermitage also makes a good starting point for walks in the woods. Monte Subasio is a protected regional park, and there are plenty of marked trails to follow. Maps are available in town.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Eremo delle Carceri; Hermitage |
| Type of site: | Monastery |
| Date: | 13th century |
| Location: | Via Santuario delle Carceri, 4 km (2½ mi) east of Assisi, Italy. |
| Get there: | Walk or take a taxi from Piazza Santa Chiara |
| Contact: | 075/812301 |
| Hours: | Daily 6:30am-7pm |
| Cost: | Free; donations appreciated. |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Eremo delle Carcari. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Assisi Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Travel Planning Links
- Assisi Hotels - Venere
- Assisi Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor
- Assisi Travel Forum - TripAdvisor
- Car Rentals in Italy - Auto Europe
- Italy Rail Passes and Tickets - Rail Europe
