After a 12-hours flight from Hong Kong to Milan, we drove for an hour to Stresa, a town near Lake Maggiore. Here we intended to do a quick boat to Santa Caterina del Sasso before retiring for the day.
Santa Caterina del Sasso is certainly one of the most intriguing sights of Lago Maggiore. 2 years ago, we were here, visiting the small islands around this lake. The story behind this chapel is even more so. The Hermitage was founded in the 12th century by the merchant Alberto Besozzi of Arolo, who on being shipwrecked took refuge in a cave and vowed devotion to St Catherine. In 1195 he built a tiny church in recognition of his deliverance. The present buildings date from the late 13th – early 14th centuries.
I have been to this place before. It’s like a dream to see Isola Pescatori and Isola Bella again, within a reach of 15 minutes boat ride.
This time, we would go to Santa Caterina, another small island somewhere in Lake Maggiore. The public ferry cost €6.80 return from Stresa and takes 15 minute.
The boat which is operated by Navigation Company had came to pick us on time (1025), then carry us straight to our destination.
We were quite tired after a long but could still hang on. Its too early to sleep anyway.
Seeing Isola Bella at one side…
and passing by Isola Pescatori….
Picturesquely located on a sheer cliff above the water.
Amazing view combined with spirituality of the monastery and serenity of the place.
Perpendicular to Lake Maggiore, the monastery is made up of 3 distinct parts (the South Convent, the small Convent and the Church), placed along the rocky ridge. Only the latter is now open to the public.
Presently occupied by the Dominicans, that first erected it in the 14th century, the tiny convent, was later occupied by other religious orders.
When the boat docked at the pier, we all disembark from here.
Through the front gate, we entered the southern part of the monastery.
Walking along an arcade, and awed by a beautiful view of the lake.
This is an absolutely beautiful church with nice frescos. The views from the church of the lake, surrounding mountains and the small islands are breathtaking.
All the windows were tightly closed…
A little yard housing a wooden press dating from 1759.
The little statues of St. Catherine with the virgin and child.
This church is the only part that is opened to the public now.
The interiors has been newly restored.
We had taken some time to admire the recently restored frescoes both outside and inside the richly decorated monastery.
The famous Last Supper.
Vincent & William are very interested to this man in the coffin. We have no idea who he was though.
Quite some tourists visiting this small monastery, just like us.
Basically, that’s all about St. Caterina that we can see.
In order to catch the boat arriving in another 15 minutes, we need to walk back to the pier then. Otherwise we would need to wait 3 hours for the next boat to come at around 2.30 pm.
From here, we could see the boat hasn’t come yet. Instead of waiting at the pier downs there, we prefer to wait here.
Actually, we could have walked up the hill some more from here, but husband’s knees were not in good condition. In order not to stress him too much, we decided to go up.
This place is really has its own charm. After all, it’s nearly 1000 years old.
Tourists who were waiting for the boat to come.
Sons have discovered some sort of small berries hanging on the trees. They played with them happily then.
Although there is nothing much to see at here, it’s a romantic place that worth visiting.
Jessy Lee
Kevin
Nicholas Lee
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