Built directly on a rocky outcrop that drops sheerly into Lake Maggiore, this monastic complex seems almost to be “glued” to the natural cliff face. The complex consists of churches, courtyards, and monastic quarters arranged on different levels, connected by staircases, porticoes, and small terraces that open onto the lake and offer a truly spectacular view.
The place born of a miracle
Legend has it that, in the 12th century, a wealthy merchant was saved from a violent storm on Lake Maggiore after vowing to Saint Catherine of Alexandria to retreat to a life of hermitage on the rocky outcrop where the complex stands today. Following his miraculous escape, the merchant is said to have built a small chapel dedicated to the saint, transforming that place into a center of prayer and contemplation.
After centuries of passing through various monastic orders and a long period of neglect, it was renovated in the 1970s and 1980s and is now managed in collaboration with the Province of Varese and local associations. Since 2019 , spiritual life has been overseen by the Franciscan Fraternity of Bethany, so the hermitage remains a center of prayer, welcome, and hospitality, but also a popular destination for its frescoes and its scenic location on the lake.
14th-century monasteries, medieval works of art, and an unparalleled view: what to see
At the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, three main buildings stand out: the southern Convent, the 14th-century Conventino, and the Church of Santa Caterina, all connected by courtyards and porticoes overlooking the lake. Inside, visitors can admire numerous medieval and later frescoes, such as the 17th-century Dance of Death in the Conventino or the Blessing Christ in a mandorla.
In addition to these works, which span the 14th to the 19th centuries, there are also altar decorations and altarpieces, as well as a stone bell tower rising above the complex. Of course, there is no shortage of scenic viewpoints. The terraces and porticoes, in fact, offer an unparalleled view of the Borromeo Gulf, Stresa, and the islands.
Price: €5
Hours and other info: visit the official website.
How to get there from Milan?
From Milan, the Hermitage of Santa Caterina d’ l Sasso is easily reached by both car and public transportation. By car, following the signs for Varese/Lake Maggiore, the journey takes about an hour and leads to Leggiuno, where you can park at the top and walk (or take the elevator) down to the hermitage. Alternatively, you can take a regional train to Stresa or Laveno-Mombello Garibaldi and then a Navigazione Laghi ferry that arrives directly at the small pier of Santa Caterina, from which a short flight of stairs leads up to the complex.