Eremo di Santo Spirito a Majella

About the museum

The hermitage of Santo Spirito a Majella is the largest and best known of the Majella hermitages. As early as 1053 the monk Desiderio, future Pope Victor III, lived there; it was later restructured by Pietro da Morrone, the future Celestine V. The oldest nucleus is carved into the rock beneath the church, where the cave of the first hermits is located.

The complex comprises the church, the sacristy and the two-storey monastery, with cells, chapter house, library, refectory and winter chapel. The guest house, known as the Casa del Principe, has three floors and is connected by a corridor carved into the rock. Among the notable works are a wooden choir, some canvases and a statue of Christ. Above the church entrance is the inscription “Porta Coeli”; the wooden portal, the statue of Saint Michael the Archangel and the tabernacle date from 1894, the year the site reopened for worship.

For some years a community of young friars has lived in the hermitage.

Highlights

• Cave of the first hermits beneath the church
• Church with the inscription “Porta Coeli”
• Guest house known as the Casa del Principe
• Cells, chapter house, refectory and library
• Wooden choir and canvases

Visitors per year

approx. 20,170

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

Unlike other Celestine hermitages, the hermitage can be reached by car; snow tyres are compulsory in winter.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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