Monastero S. Benedetto (Subiaco)

History

In the Sacro Speco the young Benedict of Norcia lived as a hermit for three years, around the year 500, before founding his monasteries: the sanctuary, a "swallow's nest" clinging to the wall of Mount Taleo, encloses the grotto within two superimposed, entirely frescoed churches, including the oldest portrait of St Francis. Lower down, Santa Scolastica is the sole survivor of the thirteen Benedictine monasteries of Subiaco and in 1465 housed Italy's first printing press.

Visiting

What to see

Sacro Speco: cave where Saint Benedict lived as a hermit. Multi-level sanctuary perched on rock. Two overlapping churches. XIII-XIV century frescoes covering every wall.

Surroundings

Simbruini Mountains, Aniene Valley. Subiaco with two Benedictine monasteries. Trekking trails through rock and woodland. 60 km from Rome. Natural waterfalls.

Visitor information

Sacro Speco: 9am-12.30pm and 3-6pm (5.30pm closing in winter); Santa Scolastica with its own hours

Contacts

0774 85569 (Santa Scolastica guesthouse) · benedettini-subiaco.org · info@foresteria-subiaco.com

Hospitality and where to sleep

Guesthouse available

Santa Scolastica guesthouse with restaurant

Beds and prices

The Sacro Speco does not host travellers; the guesthouse is at Santa Scolastica, with rooms and an internal restaurant, open to pilgrims, groups and families (tel. 0774 85569, foresteria-subiaco.com). Other accommodation in the town of Subiaco (budget-to-mid range).

Services

Restaurant and bar at the Santa Scolastica guesthouse; drinking water at the monasteries; a welcome well used to wayfarers on the Cammino di San Benedetto, which passes this way. Wifi not documented.

Places to stay nearby (within 15 km)

• Foresteria di Santa Scolasticaguesthouse
  Monastero di S. Scolastica, Subiaco (RM) · 1.8 km as the crow flies

  Price:

  from ~€37 (B&B) to ~€60 (full board), to be checked

  Open:

  year-round (tel. 0774 85569)

  Facilities:

  118 beds in 48 en-suite rooms, restaurant

  Source:

  foresteria-subiaco.com / camminodibenedetto.it

  Large guesthouse of the Benedictine monasteries of Subiaco, a hub on the Cammino di San Benedetto.

• Foresteria del Monastero di Santa Scolasticaguesthouse
  Subiaco (RM) · 1.8 km as the crow flies

  Price:

  from ~€37 (B&B) to ~€60 (full board), to be checked

  Open:

  year-round (tel. 0774 85569)

  Facilities:

  50 en-suite rooms (100 beds), restaurant, bar, private parking, grounds; welcomes Cammino di San Benedetto pilgrims

  Source:

  benedettini-subiaco.org/foresteria · camminodibenedetto.it

  Sleep in the Benedictine monastery of Santa Scolastica, stage finish at Subiaco: the route's signature overnight stop.

Getting there by bike

From Subiaco you climb to the monasteries on about 3 km of asphalt with rising gradients: you pass Santa Scolastica and face the final sharp ramp up to the San Benedetto car park; from there a few minutes on foot along a path and steps. Bikes at the car park. Entry by free-will offering at both monasteries.

The climb from Subiaco grows steadily steeper, the last ramp before the car park is the real one. From there the Sacro Speco is reached only on foot, along a track and steps. Santa Scolastica, further down, is the handy base for sleeping and eating.

Bike at the car park, it does not enter the Sacro Speco. Restaurant and bar at the Santa Scolastica guesthouse, drinking water at the monasteries.

Map and stages