Just outside the center of Palena, surrounded by verdant vegetation, is the Celestinian Hermitage of Our Lady of the Altar. Set almost 1300 m.a.s.l. on Mount Porrara, it appears that this was the first place where Pope Celestine V lived as a hermit before taking his vows.
The building has the appearance of a stronghold, standing on a cliff that makes the building impenetrable on three sides. It consists of the church, a highly articulated residential core and a roof garden. One enters the temple through the only entrance consisting of a large gateway.
Ph. Visit Palena
ass.celestiniana@libero.it