Shrine of the Sacred Cave of St. Benedict — Attraction in Subiaco

70 km (about 40 miles) from Rome, in the upper part of the valley of the river Aniene, is the city of Subiaco. Known as “the land of monasteries”, this area has long been a destination for tourists, as shown by the remains of the imperial villa built by the Emperor Nero.

And it is precisely on this spot, on the remains of Nero’s villa, where in the 6th century AD, Benedict of Nursia built the first of the twelve monasteries that he eventually founded all around the valley.

In the monastic complex of the “Sacred Cave” - known also as the “Holy Grotta” - there are two churches, one of top of the other, and many chapels and caves covered in frescoes dating from different artistic periods.

The next step in our journey leads us to the lower church. To get to it, you need to walk down a staircase located to the right of the transept in the...

You would never expect it: when reaching the large square of Saint Benedict Monastery, you are shocked by its position, hanged up between Taleo Mount and the Aniene river Valley. Saint Benedict Monastery, also known as “Sacro Speco”, meaning “Holy Cave”, is one of the most breathtaking medieval monastery in the world! Pope Pius II named it “swallow nest”, and the Italian poet Petrarch spoke about the monastery defining it limen paradisi (The boundary of heaven). But you can’t even imagine what you will find into it. Marvel at the 13th century frescoes, walk along the cave-chapels that follow one another in a constant relation between architecture and nature. Be amazed by the oldest Saint Francis of Assisi’s portrait… the visit at the Monastery of Saint Benedict of Subiaco it’s a surprise that never ends, both for the eyes...

The Monastery of San Benedetto is one of the most significant spiritual places for the Church. Built almost a thousand years ago, it has the task of guarding the cave where the young Benedict of Norcia spent a period of hermit life, before devoting himself to the cenobitic life. Monastery of San Benedetto Characterized by the complex relationship between architecture and rock, the structure is the result of the continuous modifications that have taken place over the course of a thousand years of history. Inside, the frescoes of the Popular Roman School (13th century) and the Sienese School (14th century) are of particular value. In the incredible decorative richness of the churches, the oldest existing portrait of St. Francis of Assisi, who arrived here in...