The Hermitage Of San Colombano, Italy

Although the hermitage was not built until centuries after the death of the saint, it was in use as a hermitage from the middle of the eight century. The hermitage as we see it now had its inception in 1319 and was in use until 1782. This year saw the prohibition by the Catholic Church of eremitic practice. It was left in the hands of the local people to tend to it – and they did their best. Yet it did need extensive renovation before its reopening in 1996.
It was the interior which was in direst need of renovation and many frescoes have now been returned, as much as they can, to their former glory. You can also see the graffiti of the centuries of pilgrims who made it to the hermitage. The frescoes include the battle between Colombano and the dragon as well as a depiction of paradise – what would await the pilgrims if they led a good life.
Each Christmas a small but evocative torchlight procession is made up the steps to the hermitage which re-enacts the final steps of the pilgrims as they climb the steep stairs hewn from rock to pay their respects to the dragon slaying saint.