The hermitage of San Bartolomeo

Even this hermitage was surely born before the year 1000, but we only have information about it beginning in 1250, when it was represented as the first dwelling of Pietro da Morrone who completely reconstructed it and spent several years here.
Still, the excessive vicinity and easy access to the towns convinced Pietro early on to move to a nearby monastery, Santo Spirito (our next location).
Nearing the hermitage, you'll see that it is very unusual: the path nears the edge of a cliff where there doesn't seem to be anything, but then opens suddenly going deep into a hole in the rock: by means of steep stone stairs you will find yourself going down onto an unexpected precipitous terrace over the valley below; we are on a long ledge, about 50 meters long, at whose end is a very little church. Inside a door leads to the small areas that have had the function of home to father hermits, while behind a square mass is a system of canals that collect the little amount of water emitted from a small resurgence.
A small stairway sculpted into the rock allows you, if you wish, to go into the valley below where you will find another spring and a kind of natural bridge.

From the town, Roccamorice, follow the indications for the hermitage of Santo Spirito, but after 4 km, stop, which is after about 10 meters after the junction leading to Passo Lanciano.
(indications on the right for the hermitage of S. Bartolomeo. You practically park your car immediately and on foot go onto a mule track (route indicated by the park). After a few minutes of walking you reach a path (this, too, sign posted and well-visible) to the left, which breaks off from the mule track: you follow it, and shortly after you are looking over the canyon where you will find the hermitage. With the canyon in front of you, take the path to the left; the hermitage is reachable in a total of about 20 minutes.
The position on the map below has an approximation of 200-300 meters.