5 The Hermitage of San Colombano (Italy)
Clinging to the side of a sheer cliff in northern Italy, the Hermitage of San Colombano is a remote and solitary religious sanctuary. The small stone building, constructed in the 14th century, is dedicated to Saint Colombano, a hermit who supposedly lived in the area. Reaching the hermitage requires a steep climb, and once there, visitors are rewarded with views of the valley below and a deep sense of solitude.
Why it’s special: Its precarious position on a cliffside adds a sense of both spiritual and physical isolation.
