Founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1213, this mountain monastery at 800 metres elevation served as a centre of austere Franciscan spirituality until its suppression in 1867. Today, after decades of abandonment, restoration work has recovered this remote sanctuary.
At a glance
A Franciscan convent on Mount Torre Maggiore, originally sited near a hermitage possibly inhabited since the 4th century. The small church of the Annunziata was designed to match the proportions of the Porziuncola in Assisi, with the conventual complex expanding over subsequent centuries to accommodate up to thirty friars. San Bernardino of Siena undertook major work here in 1420, shaping the convent’s present form.
History
The location had earlier monastic significance: Syriac bishops Proculus and Volusiano reportedly retired to a hermitage here in the 4th century, and Benedictine monks later erected a chapel nearby. St. Francis of Assisi established the convent in 1213, living in a cave near a church donated by the Bishop of Spoleto—likely the chapel of St. Catherine, subsequently decorated with frescoes from Benozzo Gozzoli’s workshop.
The community flourished as a rigorous centre of Franciscan observance. Tradition holds that the Franciscan Crown, still recited by Franciscan communities, originated here in the 15th century. The convent escaped suppression during the Napoleonic era due to its isolation but fell victim to Italy’s 1860 Pepoli decree, which transferred it to state ownership. Friars were expelled on 17 January 1867 and never returned.
What you see
The church of the Annunziata retains dimensions matching the Porziuncola. Original pictorial decoration—including work attributed to Benozzo Gozzoli’s school—has been lost, though the basic architectural fabric survives. The conventual buildings reflect multiple phases of expansion and the substantial interventions undertaken by San Bernardino of Siena in 1420, adapted to accommodate the sizeable religious community that occupied the site.
Cultural significance
La Romita exemplifies the Franciscan choice of remote, austere settings for spiritual practice. The convent’s association with St. Francis, San Bernardino, and legendary figures such as the Blessed Francesco di Pavia (said to have tamed a wolf) and the Blessed Giovanni Spagnolo reflects its standing within Franciscan hagiography. As a repository of 15th-century Franciscan devotional practices, it retains scholarly interest for the study of medieval religious life in central Italy.
Key facts
- Founded: 1213 by St. Francis of Assisi
- Location: Mount Torre Maggiore, approximately 800 metres elevation
- Address: Vocabolo Eremita, 05100 Terni, Umbria
- Coordinates: 42.6370551, 12.5912073
- Website: http://www.la-romita.net/
- Phone: 0744 283006; 3464107908
- Major renovation: 1420 under San Bernardino of Siena
- Suppressed: 1860; friars expelled 1867
Practical information
The hermitage lies along the historic road connecting Carsulae and Spoleto through the Martani mountains. Restoration begun in the 1990s has recovered the site from complete abandonment. Contact the convent directly via the official website or phone numbers provided to arrange visits or inquire about current access conditions.
Getting there
The convent sits on Mount Torre Maggiore near Cesi in southern Umbria, inland from Terni. The remote mountain location means visiting by private car is advisable. Parking and local directions should be confirmed with the convent beforehand using the contact information above.
See the place
Sources & resources
- Official website: La Romita Franciscan Hermitage Convent
- Cultural Heritage Online
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