The Hermitage Of San Colombano, Italy

As you drive over the Passo Pian delle Fugazze in Italy, between Vivenza and Rovereto for the first time you are due for something of a surprise. The Leno valley of the Trento province is home to the Hermitage of San Colombano. You would expect a hermitage to be somewhat off the beaten track but this takes isolation to a new height – literally.
120 meters up a cliff face, seemingly carved into the side of the deep valley the hermitage is in clear view. Yet it also sends a clear message that it was built for a specific reason – to remove its inhabitants far from the madding crown below. It was intended to be a place of isolated spiritual contemplation. Once it had been ridden of a pesky dragon...