Along the whole Marche Appennine the paths of faith wind off bringing together countless hermitages and abbeys.
In the valleys of the Monti Sibillini, near Ancona, Ascoli Piceno and Macerata, close to the most famous abbeys, there is a concentration of a multitude of major or minor hermitages.A great number of examples of this type of architecture of such ancient origin are grouped in the area of the Monte San Vicino, along the Gole della Rossa near Ancona, and in the Canyon formed by the Fiastrone, near Macerata.
Many arouse considerable artistic interest (Fonte Avellana Abbey, Sant'Eustachio in Domora, Sanctuary of the Madonna di Frasassi), some have become just a few remains submerged by vegetation (Rio Sacro Abbey), others have undergone ‘lay’ transformations (San Pietro Hermitage on the Conero promontory), others are represented only by a natural cavity, a dry wall and an altar (Cave of the Frati del Fiastrone), others still have been subject to restoration works.
Often the beauty and the spiritual appeal of this ancient evidence of faith are tied in with the natural environment surrounding them: natural reserves, protected beech woods, narrow unpolluted valleys, caves and crystal clear waters.
www.regione.marche.it/giubileo/duemila/giubileo.htm
www.parks.it/parco.sibillini
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