Eremo delle Carceri

The Eremo delle Carceri is a hermitage complex located in a steep forest gorge on Monte Subasio, in Umbria, Italy. The name Carceri derives from the Latin 'carceres', meaning 'isolated places' or 'prisons'. The complex includes a 12th-century oratory, a 15th-century friary, and a small church with a notable altarpiece fresco of the Virgin and Child. According to legend, Saint Francis preached to the birds in an ancient oak near the hermitage. Visitors can explore the complex, which features a grotto where Saint Francis prayed and slept, as well as a 'Devil's Hole' where he is said to have tossed a troublesome demon. The hermitage is surrounded by a peaceful forest of centuries-old holm oaks, making it a serene and historic destination for families to visit