Eremo Beato Rizzerio

The people I met locally left a strong impression on me. Their dignity and resilience are truly admirable, and they seem to bring beauty even to places damaged by the earthquake. The property itself feels peaceful, almost like a monastery, with lovely stonework, lots of space across several levels, and everything visibly clean and well maintained. There’s a large parking area, and the walking paths wind through nature. Getting there is the main drawback. There’s no public transport, and the road is bumpy and winding, which I found hard to handle. The place is high up, with valley views that would suit trekking fans, though as someone born by the sea, it wasn’t my ideal setting. Still, for the purpose of my trip, I came away very positive. My room was on the top floor, reached by broad wooden stairs or a large, modern glass elevator. It was a single room, not huge but roomy enough, and cost €25, a fair price since it was a double. The solid wood furniture still smelled new. The sheets were sturdy, soft, and very white, and there were comfortable new duvets, including extra double ones in the closet and pillows too. The floors were new, the walls clean, and there wasn’t a speck of dust. Though it was in the attic, the ceiling was high, with small windows set in thick walls. The new double-glazed frames let in enough light and air. There was no minibar, but the room had a good-sized modern LED TV and was pleasantly quiet. The bathroom had a window and was simple, new, and spotless, with warm and cool lighting, gleaming fittings, and clean white towels in several sizes. There was a hairdryer, a large mirror, complimentary toiletries, plenty of shelf space, and a decent shower with hot running water. It was cold only on my last day, and I reported it. Rooms are serviced daily. Breakfast was generous in the spacious dining room, and they even asked if we wanted more. Cappuccino and coffee were included. The staff were helpful and efficient. They checked each day whether we wanted to order the €12 three-course meal. We only managed to eat there once because university events kept us out most days, but the food was good. For groups like ours, there’s also a lounge with a TV, books, and music, where you can chat and have a drink. There was plenty of glassware in a cabinet. We brought our own alcohol and sweets, and had a great time. If we hadn’t needed to get up early for university, I’m sure I would have rested and recharged there. I’d recommend the experience.

The rooms are excellent. There are vending machines, but the restaurant and breakfast service are no longer available, and shops are a 3km walk away.

The property was very nice, clean, and well looked after. The rooms were welcoming, dinner was simple but tasty with decent portions and a good price, and breakfast was good. Our stay started badly, though. We were pilgrims and had already walked 25 km, so we arrived tired and sore. The directions we were given were unclear and wrong, sending us on another 3 km uphill hike. That cost us more than an hour and a half of time we badly needed for rest. There didn’t seem to be much consideration for pilgrims, or the extra care and humanity you’d hope for from a place with this name. A five-minute pickup would have made a big difference. That service wasn’t available, but it matters for pilgrims, especially when blisters, pulled muscles, inflammation, or other aches can make it hard to reach the hermitage.

I have to give credit to the people who run Eremo del Beato Rizzerio: Filippo, Maddalena, and Margherita. They’re always kind and ready to help, and you can see how much they enjoy working there, as though the place were their own. They’re special people. Thank you for the lovely holiday we spent with you. Simona and Roberto