The Hermitage of San Girolam

The Hermitage of San Girolamo stands deep in the woods near Vetralla, in the province of Viterbo, and is one of the most evocative rock-cut places of worship in Tuscia. Its origins date back to the 16th century, when a fellow citizen of the saint, the friar Marcantonio, commissioned its reconstruction in honor of Jerome. Historical sources attest to its existence until at least 1628.

The heart of the site is a small chapel carved directly into the living rock, enriched with niches, openings, and an external stone altar. The simplicity of the complex conveys an atmosphere of contemplation and spirituality, consistent with the ascetic figure of Saint Jerome to whom it is dedicated.

Despite the passing centuries, the site has not fallen into neglect: some faithful from Vetralla voluntarily take care of its maintenance and organize an annual mass there, keeping alive a devotional tradition rooted in the territory.

In the immediate vicinity lies the Convent of Sant’Angelo, whose first core dates back to the 7th century, when the Lombards built the Oratory of San Michele there. It later became a Benedictine monastery, before taking on its current appearance during the eighteenth century.

To reach the hermitage, it is possible to follow several marked trails within the woods. The most direct route starts from the Convent of Sant’Angelo: you leave your vehicle at the side of the road and continue on foot through the vegetation.