 A Trail Of SilenceRight at the centre of the Apennines mountain chain, and scattered all over pristine and picturesque areas in the innermost Marches there are cave hermitages and retreats that travellers wouldn’t know unless they were shown, which we chose to name <the trail of silence>, and whose appeal is emphasized by the scenery - natural reserves, narrow gorges, lush valleys, eerie caves and springs that are by all means worth the time and efforts. We name but a few to titillate your curiosity:
Macereto sanctuary is a 500 year old hermitage set in idyllic isolation in an amazingly peaceful and evocative mountain location. Built in white stone it has a quite unusual octangular lay out, and charming frescoes by Simone de Magistris.
San Leonardo retreat can be reached by a good two-hour uphill hike along streams, miniature waterfalls, formidable caves, a natural canyon and luxuriant woodlands. Once on top you will relish the view of the hermitage that Fra Pietro - a monk who went into seclusion there over thirty years ago, single handedly restored to its former glory.
Madonna di Frasassi is a rocky place of worship at less than an hour hiking from stunning Frasassi Caves. At the entrance of a cave on a side of the mountain there is an unpretentious little church near an octagonal tiny temple designed by French architect Valadier. On the alabaster altar inside the temple there is a delicate Carrara marble statue of the Madonna by sculptors of the Canova school.
Walking through the Sibillini foothills from Sarnano to recently restored San Liberato Monastery the views up to the mountains and down across the rolling hills to the sea are just unforgettable. of Saint Francis of Assisi who spent about two years in Sarnano and San Liberato was a follower; his body is housed in the Sanctuary. The absolutely perfect setting for meditation as well as walks or picnics in the open.
Not a long way from Montefortino, Madonna dell’Ambro is one of the oldest sanctuaries in the Marches dating back to the XI century. It was built as a place of worship on the site where a deaf-and-dumb young shepherdess had a vision of the Virgin Mary and was healed for her piousness. Located at the very heart of the Sibillini mountain range, charming in any season, it allows body and soul to feel at peace
San Cataldo retreat first heard of as early as 1324 was originally a medieval watchtower. It rests on an absolutely formidable rocky wall set amongst ranges of lush hills and mountains like an eagle's nest overlooking the village. The worship of an Irish monk called Carthag, later to become bishop and Patron Saint of the hamlet, is likely to have been popularized in the area by Benedectine monks back in the Middle Ages. A must-see for nature lovers, photography fans and thrill seekers!
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