The Hermitage of Calomini is one of the most fascinating and spiritual places in the Province of Lucca, a sanctuary nestled in the rock that seems to blend seamlessly with the mountain. Situated along the road leading to the village of Vergemoli, this ancient hermitage is striking for its spectacular setting: built at the foot of a cliff some seventy metres high, it appears almost suspended between nature and spirituality.

The origins of the hermitage are lost in time and shrouded in folk tales and traditions. According to the best-known legend, around the year 1000, the Virgin Mary appeared to a local girl. The inhabitants then decided to carry the sacred image to the nearby village of Gallicano to venerate it publicly, but the following day it was miraculously found in the exact spot of the apparition. It was in that very cave that the sanctuary was founded.

Over the centuries, the complex has been extended and restored, whilst retaining the original charm of the ancient hermitage carved into the rock. Even today, it is possible to see the wall of the original cave around which the place of worship developed. The main church, elegant and intimate, is in the 18th-century style, whilst the sacristy preserves older rooms furnished, since the 17th century, with finely carved furniture of great value.

Visiting the hermitage, one can also discover the spaces where the monks lived their daily lives, such as the old kitchen and the monks’ cells, which were also carved directly out of the rock. For over five centuries, the hermits of Calomini looked after this place of prayer and contemplation; since 1868, the care of the sanctuary has been entrusted to the Capuchin friars of Lucca.

Nestled amidst the green mountains of Garfagnana, the Hermitage of Calomini is now a destination for pilgrimages and visits throughout the year. In the summer it is open daily, whilst in the winter months it is mainly open on Sundays, during the celebration of Mass.