Hermitage of Santa Caterina

The wide gravel road from the road is rather monotonous. The church itself is usually closed. Behind the church you can first walk away to Monte Serra.

The small church is picturesquely situated on the hillside above Rio nell'Elba. The botanical garden next door is well maintained and offers a large selection of Elban plant species, some of which are endemic.
If you do not want to go as far from Rio nell'Elba to the hermitage, you can go by car, then the road is only about 400 meters gravel road.

A shepherd has appeared here several times on this site. So the church was built and consecrated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. After that there have been more miracles. Supposedly even the whole church is floated in the air. The present tributary of the church was built in 1624. The church is u.a. used for exhibitions.
Right next to the church is the botanical garden "Orto Botanicao dei Semplici Elbano". You can see here all the typical plants that are native to Elba. The garden is being plowed by an elderly gentleman, who is happy about a small donation. Admission is free.