The frescoes of the Monastery of San Benedetto in Subiaco

In Subiaco there is a destination for religious pilgrimages from all over the world: the monastery of San Benedetto, where the Sacro Speco is located. This is the definition of the cave in which the saint from Norcia was locked up for three years, receiving food from a hole by the Roman monk, in hermitage before embarking on a monastic career. It is not only the faith that leads visitors to this place, but also the incredible artistic and architectural richness of the complex. The monastery was built between the 13th and 14th centuries and consists of two churches, all completely frescoed in various periods. In the upper church you can admire frescoes from the Sienese school depicting the life of Christ, and others from the Umbrian-Marche school that instead tell the life of San Benedetto. Among the episodes portrayed there are also the various attempts at poisoning that the saint had to undergo by the brothers who did not accept his rule. In the lower church there is an ancient fresco representing San Francesco, who passed through here in 1223.