Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso. Guided boat tours with a tour guide from Stresa, Baveno, Verbania - Lake Maggiore cruises

- THE HERMITAGE OF ST. CATHERINE ON LAKE MAGGIORE

The Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso hangs on a steep cliff on the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore not far from Stresa. It's a mystical complex made up of three different buildings: two convents and a church dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria also known as St. Catherine of the Wheel.

The history of this place of worship goes back to 1170 when a wealthy merchant called Alberto Besozzi, while sailing on the lake, found himself in the middle of a violent tempest, so he prayed to Saint Catherine to be saved.

Once safe on the nearest rocks he kept the vow he had made and spent the rest of his life living there as a hermit. People from surrounding villages slowly began to hold the Blessed Hermit in high esteem and a few shrines were built on that spot on different occasions as a sign of their devotion to him and to Saint Catherine.

The contemplative church we can visit nowadays was built in the 16th century. The sanctuary is rich in frescoes and it incorporates the ancient chapels.

CLASSIC HALF-DAY ITINERARY

We can meet at the landing stage in Stresa, Baveno, Verbania or at your hotel lobby in the morning or in the afternoon at a time you will choose. After a nice sightseeing boat trip on lake Maggiore we will reach the hermitage for our visit to the complex. Return by boat to Stresa, to departure landing stage or to your hotel's private pier.

NOTES

• This itinerary can be combined with the guided tour of the Borromean islands in Stresa.

• See other Tours around Stresa