Monastero Di S.Benedetto, Subiaco

A jewel on the side of the mountain, or better right into it. The upper and lower churches are glorified caves with incredibly beautiful paintings from the XIII century all over. The life of Saint Benedict and many stories from the Gospel as if they were all living in the late middle ages. Dresses, horses and all, in bright colours. And then the only surviving portrait of Saint Francis taken when he was still alive and not a saint yet, during a visit to the Monastery a couple of years before his death. Awesome!!!

Impressive. Equivalent to the basilica of Saint Francis in asissi but a lot smaller and with less people. 4 old monks left in the Monastery and younger volunteers offer these guided tours. Some parts cannot be visited during pandemic. But that doesn't take any of the incredible magic and mysticism of this sanctuary build into the rock. Parking available and clean public toilets