The Convent of San Francesco, also known as the Sacro Ritiro, stands deep in the woods above Bellegra, at the foot of the Simbruini mountains, not far from San Vito Romano. Tradition, handed down by the Benedictine chronicler Mirzio and the Franciscan historian Wadding, tells that in 1223 Saint Francis of Assisi, on his way to the monastery of San Benedetto in Subiaco, stopped with a few companions at the farmhouse of Monte Casale, then owned by Benedictine monks. Struck by the peaceful atmosphere of the place, amid olive groves, beech woods and countryside, the Saint received as a gift from the abbot the very area where the convent stands today, and settled there with his friars.
A pious tradition tells that at this retreat Saint Francis converted three notorious local bandits, who later became friars and died in the odour of sanctity: their bones are still kept today in the chapel dedicated to him.
In the 18th century, friar Tommaso da Cori, having become superior of the community, properly founded the “Sacro Ritiro”, keeping the structure small and simple while expanding it with a guesthouse and a few dormitories, enough to house at most about twenty friars.
Still today the convent, reachable along a path through the woods, keeps this spirit of quiet and simplicity, and remains a destination for visits and spiritual retreats for those seeking the peace of the Prenestini-Simbruini mountains.
Opening hours and contacts
The convent does not publish visiting hours: before setting off, it is best to phone the friars to find out when it can be visited.
Phone: +39 06 9565291
Address: Via Nido dei Santi (S.P. 10a) 1, Bellegra (Rome)
Source: Diocese of Tivoli and Palestrina (checked in October 2026).
Photo: Claudius Ziehr, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (view of Bellegra).
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