Santa Caterina del Sasso

Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso
(Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso)

Façade and the bell tower of the church.
Basic information
Location Leggiuno, Italy
Geographic coordinates 45°52′39″N 8°35′49″E / 45.877411°N 8.596887°E / 45.877411; 8.596887Coordinates: 45°52′39″N 8°35′49″E / 45.877411°N 8.596887°E / 45.877411; 8.596887
Affiliation Roman Catholic
Province Varese
Ecclesiastical or organizational status National monument
Status Active
Website santacaterinadelsasso.com
Architectural description
Architectural type Church
Architectural style Romanesque
Groundbreaking 1170
Completed 19th century

Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso (Italian: Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso) is a Roman Catholic monastery located in the municipality of Leggiuno, in the Province of Varese and the region of Lombardy, Italy. It is perched on a rocky ridge on the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore.

The monastery can be reached on foot by descending down a long winding stairway or by taking an elevator or by a number of ferry services or boats that dock at the pier.

The construction of the monastery dates from the 14th century, although the more recent frescos are from the 19th century. It consists of three buildings: the southern convent, the convent and the main church. In 1914 it was declared a national monument.

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