Eremo di San Colombano, Trambileno, Italy

Eremo di San Colombano monastery is notable for its location in the side of a mountain. Some natural caves, halfway up the rock wall of the gorge formed by the stream of Leno Vallarsa were certainly used from 753 AD (the date inscribed on the rock) from a Monaco hermit.

According to legend, the hermit San Colombano first arrived there and killed the dragon that caused the death of children baptised in the waters of the river below Leno. More likely, the legend was born as a place from the first hermit monks from the nearby monastery of Bobbio, or the Priory of St. Columban Bardolino. Visitation to the site was prescribed during Lent.

Between the late tenth and early 11th century, records indicate the first construction of a small church dedicated to the saint at the opening of the cave, under a roof of natural rock. The first documentary evidence of the presence of the Hermitage and the church are one of 1319, relating to a bequest made to the Church of St. Columba on the part of Count William of Castelbarco of the House of Lords of Lizzana and Rovereto, and the other, 1470, is still preserved in Lizzana, attesting to the faith of the inhabitants of the place with celebrations and processions to the Irish saint to avert the long drought.

The hermitage of the hermit's cave was used by monks, hermits, who were its guardians, until 1782 when the practice of the hermitage was abolished. Since then the place of worship was later cared for by the inhabitants of the valley.

The province of Trent in 1996 restored the church, and the opening to the public is maintained by a group of volunteers gathered in the Committee Friends of St. Columban.

The hermitage is accessed by a staircase of 102 steps carved into rock. Frescoes depict the fight between St. Columba and a dragon (an allegory of the struggle between good and evil), as well as the representation of Paradise, located in the cave. Another fresco with 'Madonna and Saints' is the fifteenth-century altar of the church and keeps recordings with prayers and candles dated between 1505 and 1782, witnessed the pilgrimage to the shrine.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Boglárka Lázár (2 years ago)
A very interesting hermitage that is worth a visit or, if you are in a hurry at least a photo from the main road, though finding parking near the phoe spot is not easy. The site, a small cave, now part of the building, was the home of hermits from 753 on, as an engraving on the rock next to the current tower indicates it. A small church dedicated to San Colombano was first built next to the cave during the turn of the 10th-11th century, utilising the rock as its roof. The "hermit's cave" was used by monks until 1782 when the practice of the hermitage was abolished by Joseph II. Since then the inhabitants of the valley take care of the place. There is no entrance fee, but donations are welcome.

Cecilia Wang (2 years ago)
Really cool place, the place itself was closed when I visited but the walk felt calming and mystical, definitely visit if you’re in the area. Parking available next to the highway or if you drive down the hill a little bit.

Darius Radkevicius (2 years ago)
Looking for where the dragons lived? you have found this place. walk along the river valley and you will get the impression that it is something mystical. will you find the dragon? probably not, because an Irish monk came here and defeated him. then, in repentance, he settled in a cave, and later a church was built there. it is only open on Sunday from 14:30. interestingly, the same stories about monks fighting dragons are also found in the kingdoms of Mustang and Bhutan.

Mary Manea TV (5 years ago)
So beautiful nature, very interesting but I'm so happy when I'm arriving going there, A sacred place of peace and spirituality, I love the rock, views

Manuel Ferreira (5 years ago)
Interesting place hiding in the middle of the mountains.

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