5The Hermitage of San Colombano (Italy)

Built into the sheer face of a cliff, the Hermitage of San Colombano dates back to the 14th century and sits above the Leno River in Italy’s Trentino region.

Accessible by a narrow staircase carved into the rock, the hermitage was originally home to monks seeking solitude and spiritual reflection. The house appears to cling to the cliffside, with stunning views of the valley below.
Why it’s lonely: The structure is physically integrated into a cliff, cut off from the world both by height and design.

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