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Natural Monuments

Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso

Natural Monuments

Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso

Recommended by 138 hikers out of 140

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Location: Leggiuno, Varese, Lombardy, Italy

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Best Hikes to Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso

3.0

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1. Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso – loop hike

2.98km

00:55

100m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

5.0

(1)

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2. View of Isola Bella – Lake Maggiore loop from Stresa

18.5km

05:07

320m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Expert

5.0

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3. Isola Bella Gardens – View of Isola Bella loop from Campino

17.8km

04:36

100m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

Ivan Lucini

November 3, 2023

Tradition says that the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso was founded in the 12th century by Alberto Besozzi, a merchant from the area who survived a storm while crossing the lake.

Alberto found shelter in a small cave on that stretch of the coast.

Translated by Google •

Paul

August 20, 2025

The History of the Santa Caterina del Sasso Monastery

The history of the hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso is truly fascinating because it is connected to a centuries-old legend. According to this legend, Alberto Besozzi, a wealthy Milanese usurer and merchant, was caught in a terrible storm in the 12th century while traveling on business on Lake Maggiore. In those dramatic moments, he begged the help of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, to whom he was deeply devoted, in his last dread. The grace was granted.

After his miraculous rescue, he decided to change his life and from then on led a hermit's life in this corner of heaven, which seemed to him like a foretaste of what was to come.

Text / Source: Lago-Maggiore.de

lago-maggiore.de/ausflugsziele/kloster-santa-caterina-del-sasso.html

Translated by Google •

Paul

August 20, 2025

Santa Caterina del Sasso, Leggiuno

Santa Caterina del Sasso Ballaro (actually Eremo di Santa Catarina del Sasso Ballara) was originally a hermitage. It is now located in the Italian municipality of Leggiuno in the province of Varese. In the 13th century, Dominicans converted the building into a monastery. This is a destination for many pilgrimages. It is located directly on Lake Maggiore and, like many former hermitages, is built on a rock in a location that is difficult to access.

Construction began in the early 13th century, but the main work dates back to around 1300/1320. The core of the complex is the small church dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. The nickname "del sasso" means that the building stands on a rock; "Sasso Ballaro" refers to a rockslide in 1640 that caused significant damage. "Sasso ballaro" roughly translates as "wobbly rock."

According to tradition, the merchant Alberto Besozzi founded the monastery after he had successfully survived a shipwreck on the lake. He later became a hermit and is buried in the church. In 1230, Dominicans built the small convent and oratory. Around 1450, additional staircases were added to connect the individual parts of the building. In the following centuries, the monastery was rebuilt and expanded several times to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.

The 14th-century church tower is still Romanesque. The Renaissance decorations on the current façade date from the 15th century, the numerous frescoes in the former refectory, the arcade, and the church date from the 14th to 17th centuries, and the paintings in the church are Baroque.

Due to the steep slope and the difficult subsoil, the interior of the church is shaped to follow the curve of the mountain. It is richly frescoed, although moisture damage has destroyed significant portions of the paintings. The frescoes date primarily from the 16th century and were further enhanced with floral motifs in the 17th century. At the center of the church stands the sarcophagus of the founder, the hermit Alberto. In the courtyard separating the church from the convent building stands an old wine press dating from 1769.

Text / Source: Province of Varese - Piazza Libertà No. 1 - 21100 Varese

santacaterinadelsasso.com

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 260 m

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Sunday 12 October

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Max wind speed: 4.0 km/h

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Location: Leggiuno, Varese, Lombardy, Italy

Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso

1. Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso – loop hike

2. View of Isola Bella – Lake Maggiore loop from Stresa

3. Isola Bella Gardens – View of Isola Bella loop from Campino

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