The Montecasale hermitage overlooks the Tiberina Valley, nestled in the Tuscan Apennines at around 700 meters above sea level. Originally built as a castle, Saint Francis of Assisi passed through it for the first time in 1213 and left a stable presence of friars there; he will then return here several times. 

Seeing the modest proportions of the hermitage today, one does not think that so many events have taken place here over the long span of eight centuries of history: instead Montecasale has something legendary about it. Where the last stretch of asphalt road now ends and the new square widens, for centuries the dense bush around the small church, down to the Sasso Spicco, was dotted with small cells of branches inhabited by solitary and penitent friars. 

Even today, since 1531, the Capuchin Friars Minor guard the hermitage, available to welcome and listen to any pilgrim who is in search of the Supreme Good.