In the municipality of Leggiuno, in the province of Varese, overlooking the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore, stands one of the most enchanting buildings in the Lombardy region: the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso . According to tradition to found it he was a rich local merchant, namely Alberto Besozzi, who, having escaped a storm during the crossing of the lake, decides to find refuge and retire to that stretch of coast and lead a hermit’s life there.
Description
It was precisely in this place that the Blessed Alberto built a chapel dedicated to Saint Catherine of Egypt , currently visible at the bottom of the church. The chapel, which dates back to the twelfth century, was soon flanked by two other churches, that of San Nicola and Santa Maria Nova, whose existence is certain only from the fourteenth century.
Following an initial historical period during which the Dominicans stayed there, from 1314 to 1645, the friars of the Milanese convent of Sant’Ambrogio ad Nemus were at the head of the monastery, then replaced by the Carmelites until the year 1770.
Very curious is the miracle that took place here at the beginning of the eighteenth century when five huge boulders “dancers” fell on the church but remained entangled in the vault of a chapel, without causing serious damage, remaining suspended for almost two centuries until the year 1910. Precisely from this story the particular name of the monastery seems to have its origin, although many argue that the origin of the name is due to the nearby town in the province of Milan “Ballarate”.
Since 1970 the hermitage has been owned by the Province of Varese, from 1986 to 1996 it was managed by a Dominican community, while until 2018 by the Benedictine oblates. Starting from spring 2019, the religious management of the Hermitage is entrusted to the Franciscan Fraternity of Bethany.
The façade of the church is characterized by a Renaissance portico with four round arches , in which the remains of a cycle of frescoes attributed to one of Bernardino Luini’s sons are preserved.
On the left stands the bell tower, dating back to the fourteenth century. Above the window, on the external wall, there are frescoes of some images of the translation of the body of the saint – by the angels – to Mount Sinai; other frescoes dating back to the sixteenth century depict his wedding, placed between Sant’Ambrogio, San Gregorio Magno and Sant’Agostino.
Inside the vault there is a frescoed halo with the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, surrounded by angels: the relics of Blessed Alberto Besozzi have been kept here since 1535.
Prices and Reductions
- Full ticket : € 5
- Reduced ticket : € 3 (over 65; citizens residing in the province of Varese)
- Free entry: tourist guides in the exercise of their professional activity; tourist interpreters from the European Union when their work is needed alongside the guide; members of ICOM (International Council of Museums); visitors who are under the age of eighteen; groups or groups of students from public and private schools in the European Union, accompanied by their teachers, upon reservation; teachers and students enrolled in the faculties of architecture, conservation of cultural heritage, education sciences and degree courses in literature or literary subjects with an archaeological or historical-artistic address of the faculties of literature and philosophy, or in corresponding faculties and courses established in the Member States of the European Union, following presentation of the enrollment certificate for the current academic year; teachers and students enrolled in academies of fine arts or corresponding institutions of the European Union, following presentation of the enrollment certificate for the current academic year; teaching staff of the school, permanent or with a fixed-term contract, upon presentation of a suitable certificate issued by the educational institutions; people with disabilities and a family member or other companion who can prove their membership in social and health care services; citizens residing in the Municipality of Leggiuno; religious pilgrimages accompanied by a priest for the celebration of the Holy Mass upon reservation. following presentation of the enrollment certificate for the current academic year; teaching staff of the school, permanent or with a fixed-term contract, upon presentation of a suitable certificate issued by the educational institutions; people with disabilities and a family member or other companion who can prove their membership in social and health care services; citizens residing in the Municipality of Leggiuno; religious pilgrimages accompanied by a priest for the celebration of the Holy Mass upon reservation. following presentation of the enrollment certificate for the current academic year; teaching staff of the school, permanent or with a fixed-term contract, upon presentation of a suitable certificate issued by the educational institutions; people with disabilities and a family member or other companion who can prove their membership in social and health care services; citizens residing in the Municipality of Leggiuno; religious pilgrimages accompanied by a priest for the celebration of the Holy Mass upon reservation. people with disabilities and a family member or other companion who proves their membership in social and health care services; citizens residing in the Municipality of Leggiuno; religious pilgrimages accompanied by a priest for the celebration of the Holy Mass upon reservation. people with disabilities and a family member or other companion who can prove their membership in social and health care services; citizens residing in the Municipality of Leggiuno; religious pilgrimages accompanied by a priest for the celebration of the Holy Mass upon reservation.
How to get
The Hermitage is located in the municipality of Leggiuno (VA). The Hermitage can be reached from the square above, full of large parking lots, by going down a panoramic staircase of 268 steps or by lake climbing about eighty steps. Alternatively, there is also a lift near the car park.
