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The Eremo delle Carceri is a sanctuary nestled in the dense woods of Mount Subasio, about 4 km from Assisi at an altitude of 800 metres. It was here that Saint Francis and his first companions withdrew into contemplation, dedicating their lives to prayer. The name Carceri does not mean prison; it derives from the Latin carcer, meaning a secluded and solitary place.
Descending through a narrow passage, visitors reach Saint Francis' Cave, where, according to Franciscan tradition, the Saint experienced his first true meditation. It is often mistakenly believed that Saint Francis delivered his famous sermon to the birds here, but historical sources have definitively attributed this event to Piandarca, a locality in the municipality of Cannara.
Over the centuries, thanks to the work of the Franciscan friars, the sanctuary was expanded, especially in the early 15th century under the guidance of Saint Bernardino of Siena. In the small cloister, visitors can admire the famous Well of Saint Francis and enjoy a breathtaking view over the Spoleto Valley.
From the cloister, visitors can explore the site's spiritual treasures, including the conventino, a masterpiece of harmonious architecture; the small Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene, where Brother Barnaba of Terni, founder of the Monte di Pietà of Perugia in 1462, is buried; and the Oratory of Saint Mary, where Saint Francis and his companions gathered for communal prayer.
Throughout the year, the local Franciscan community welcomes visitors who wish to experience the silence and unspoilt nature of this remarkable place while discovering the Franciscan way of life.
