Today I invite you to discover together an ancient monastery hidden on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Italy: the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso. This place of rare beauty, steeped in history and spirituality, can be found in the town of Leggiuno, in the province of Varese in the Lombardy region, clinging to the steep cliffs that mirror the waters of the lake.
From its terraces one enjoys a splendid panoramic view of the lake and surrounding mountains, while inside the eyes are filled with light, colour and elegance to the point of indigestion. A truly impressive place, unique in the entire region, and easily accessible from Varese, Como and Milan.
Inside the article you will find all the information you need to organise your visit, a bit of history and how to get to Eremul Santa Caterina by car or boat.
Historical overview of the Monastery of Santa Caterina del Sasso
The construction of the monastery dates back to the 14th century, although the more recent frescoes date from the 19th century. The complex consists of three buildings: the southern convent, the convent and the main church. In 1914, it was declared a national monument. The best view of Santa Caterina is from the ferry on Lake Maggiore, the first thing you notice is that the monastery consists of three chapels.
The history of this fascinating place begins with Albertus Besozzi, a wealthy cloth merchant who survived a violent storm at sea. After that experience, he lived as a hermit in a cave on this very spot. In 1195, the inhabitants of Lake Maggiore asked him for spiritual support, and he asked in return for the construction of a chapel, Santa Caterina del Sasso. Albertus Besozzi died in 1205 and was buried there.
Over the centuries, this humble beginning has been expanded, and inside there are remarkable frescoes from the 13th to the 17th century.
How to get to the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso
To reach the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso you need to go to Leggiuno, in the province of Varese, on the Lombard side of Lake Maggiore. By car, follow the A8 Milan – A26 Genoa/Gravellona motorway and take the exit for Sesto Calende.
Then continue towards Laveno Mombello and finally Leggiuno. Setting the name of the trail on the navigator will take you to a large free car park where you can leave your car. The car park is a few minutes from SP59, which you will find anyway well signposted by the brown tourist sign near Leggiuno.
Next to the car park is the Cascine del Quiquio neighbourhood and from here you have two options to reach the hermitage:
On foot, down the 268-step panoramic staircase. By lift, carved into the rock, with access close to the car park. The cost of the lift is €1.00 per person (coins only). You can also combine the two ways, for example walking down on the way down and taking the lift up on the way back. This way you avoid having to climb the 268 steps again.
Alternatively, the herem can also be accessed by boat or ship, offering a different perspective. The hermitage can be reached by ferry from Stresa or Laveno.Once disembarked, a panoramic staircase of about 80 steps up awaits you.
The Hermitage can also be reached by train. Just over 3 kilometres away is Sangiano station, on the Luino-Milano line, while about 6 kilometres away is Laveno Mombello Nord station, at the end of the Milan-Saronno-Laveno route.
The view from Erem is truly spectacular, offering a sweeping panorama of Lake Maggiore, framed by mountains and blue skies.
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Helpful information: Ticket and programme
As far as the organisation of the visit is concerned, there are certain details to bear in mind.
The hermitage is open daily in summer and only on holidays in winter. From November to February, you can visit the hermitage on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 9:00 to 12:00 and then from 14:00 to 17:00. Between 23 December and 6 January, it is open every day at the same times.
Opening hours change slightly in March, April and until mid-June, when the hermitage is open daily until 18:00, but with a break between 12:00 and 13:30.
Admission costs €5.00 per person, €3.00 reduced price for children.
In conclusion, a visit to the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso is an experience that combines natural beauty with spiritual and historical richness. It is a place that, for me, was a true oasis of tranquillity and reflection, a place where time seems to stand still and where every corner speaks of faith and art.
I hope you will have the opportunity to visit this place full of stories and feel, like me, the peace and beauty that transcend time.
For more details and to plan your visit, I recommend you to visit the official website of the hermitage HERE
