Assisi - Hermitage "Eremo delle Carceri"

April 23, 2014

We had a wonderful breakfast in our hotel. Then we got into the car and drove to the Hermitage "Eremo delle Carceri"which is in a step forest gorge outside of Assisi. In the 13th century St. Francis returned here during his life to pray and contemplate as did other hermits before him. When he first came in 1205, the only building here was a tiny 12th century oratory. Soon other men followed him, finding their own isolated caves nearby to pray. The oratory became known as Santa Maria delle Carceri after the small "prisons" occupied by the friars. 

Entrance into the Hermitage

Walking into the grounds of the Hermitage

Seal of St. Bernardine of Siena

The end of the courtyard leads into a small 15th century oratory built by St. Bernardine of Siena. He also built a small friary, which included a little choir with wood stalls and a simple refectory. 

Refectory

Confessional

Joe and the children

Cappella della Madonna

Grotto of St. Francis-where he slept and prayed

L likes the small door - "her size"

Joe is wondering how he is going to get out

Were people really that short back then?

The is an oak tree, in the branches of which birds were living, whom
St. Francis had preached to, as the legend tells us. 

There are many trails around the hermitage. Its very quiet and relaxing!

There are many trails that branch off to caves of the first companions of St. Francis and his followers. Joe took the children on a little hike to see all the caves. 

I went back to the top of the Hermitage to meet up with them later. 

When we all met up we went back to the car park to drive back to our hotel. We had a good visit to the Hermitage!