Eremo di Poggio Conte

Useful Information

Location:	Str. Eremo di Poggio Conte, 01010 Ischia di Castro VT. From SS1/E80 exit Montaldo di Castro, SR312 towards Viterbo/Tuscania 6 km, turn left on SP106 13 km, turn left on SP109 9.4 km. Turnoff on the left, single lane gravel road, 1.7 km walk. (42.5110013, 11.6263896)
Open:	no restrictions. [2024]
Fee:	free. [2024]
Classification:	Cave Church
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Eremo di Poggio Conte, Str. Eremo di Poggio Conte, 01010 Ischia di Castro VT, Tel: +39-0761-425400.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1027	first depicted on a map.
12th-13th century	cave church constructed.
1964	six frescoes stolen.

Description

Eremo di Poggio Conte (Hermitage of Poggio Conte) is also known as Chiusa dell'Armine or as Romitorio San Colombanio. It is a Christian cave church which was dug into a volcanic tufa deposit. The rock is porous and rather soft, so it is easy to dig caves into the tufa.

The site has been a hermitage since the 11th century, at least it was first mentioned on a map at this time. It was located at the border between the papal territories and Tuscany, not far from a customs house. After it served as a remote hermitage for a long time, the cave church was dug most likely during the 12th and 13th century. It is assumed that the site belonged to the Knights Templar and was altered after their abolition in 1312 by remodelling the vault. This is a conclusion by scholars, there is actually no proof. But the site is close to the Via Clodia, an ancient Roman road which ended in Saturnia, and the Order controlled and protected all communication routes. It had in fact established several stations and temples along this road. Another indicator is the consecration of the hermitage to San Colombano, who was the principal Saint and patron of the Templars. Also, the numerous naturalistic decorations would be typical for the architecture of the Order.

The cave church is entered through a door surmounted by a circular hole, which allows daylight into the church. The door is of normal size, the ledges in the rock show where the wooden door was mounted. But the surrounding rock is sculpted like a much bigger portal with a barrel vault. The altar is on the opposite wall. In the twelve niches there were frescoes of the apostles portrayed in various attitudes. But in 1964, six frescoes were stolen, and as a result, the remaining were officially removed and are today on display at the Civic Museum of Ischia di Castro.

The site is located in a remote forested valley. The small road connecting Ischia di Castro and Manciano has a turnoff, a single lane gravel road which leads to a farm. There is a small, hand-drawn sign "Poggio Conte". After 60 m turn right and then follow the narrow road along the Fiora river. When the forest is reached, it becomes a trail and after about 180 m a tributary is reached, turn left and follow the tributary upstream to the waterfall and the cave church.