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Trail to the Hermitage of St Dominic in Collepardo, leading to the monk's cave
The trail to the Hermitage of San Domenico (St Dominic) starts near the Certosa di Trisulti (Trisulti Charterhouse), in the territory of Collepardo (Frosinone), in the Ernici Mountains. It's a short walk — about 15 minutes, with no difficulties — that climbs through the woods to a natural cave at the foot of Monte Porca. Here, in 983 AD, a Benedictine monk withdrew from society to live in prayer.
The story of the monk and the deer
Domenico da Foligno was 32 years old when he arrived in Trisulti — the ancient name, "Trisaltus", means "three passes". Together with another monk, Giovanni, he took shelter in a cave, where he stayed for three years, fasting and praying. Legend has it that a deer, chased by hunters, ran right into the cave, revealing the hiding place. From that moment, his solitude was over: people began seeking him out, and in 996 Domenico founded a monastery dedicated to St Bartholomew a little further down the hill, still visible along the road.
What to see along the trail
The path starts in front of the ruins of the ancient monastery, on the road that goes down to the Ponte dei Santi (Bridge of the Saints). A series of information panels tell the story of the saint along the way. Inside the hermitage there is a bronze bust of Domenico, made in the year 2000.
