Pin as visited
Pin as planned
Photo of Santa Caterina del Sasso
Pin Santa Caterina del SassoSanta Caterina del Sasso
ItalyCountry
InfoPhotosVisited Planned

Santa Caterina del Sasso is a monastery located in the town of Leggiuno, on the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. The monastery is perched on a steep cliff overlooking the lake and is known for its picturesque location and impressive architecture.

Legend has it that the monastery was founded in the 12th century by the local merchant Alberto Besozzi, who was saved from a shipwreck by the intercession of St. Catherine of Alexandria. In gratitude, he built the monastery dedicated to her. Over the centuries, the monastery has been expanded and renovated several times.

The complex consists of three buildings: the lower monastery, the upper monastery, and the church. The lower monastery, which dates back to the 14th century, houses a museum and a small chapel. The upper monastery, built in the 16th century, features a cloister and a series of frescoes by local artists. The church, dedicated to St. Nicholas of Tolentino, was built in the 18th century and is decorated with stucco and marble.

The monastery can be reached by a winding path or by a panoramic elevator that descends from the town of Stresa to the lake level. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of Lake Maggiore and the surrounding mountains from the monastery's terrace.