Eremito
Umbria | Italy

Eremito: Spiritual regenerative farm stay in Umbria

A Regenerative Hermitage in Umbria’s Sacred Hills

Nestled within the rolling, UNESCO-protected hills of Umbria, where ancient oaks whisper and a river carves its gentle path through verdant valleys, Eremito emerges as a 14th-century stone hermitage reborn as a regenerative eco-resort. Surrounded by 3,000 hectares of pristine nature reserve, this sanctuary, crafted from 130,000 hand-laid stones, is a celebration of simplicity and solitude. With its candlelit “Celluzze” rooms, organic vegetarian cuisine, and a commitment to digital detox, Eremito invites guests to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with the rhythms of the Earth and their inner selves.

A Vision of Soulful Simplicity

Eremito’s story is one of reinvention, sparked by Marcello Murzilli, a visionary who traded a life of global wanderlust for the quiet of Umbria’s spiritual heart. Inspired by the region’s monastic traditions, Murzilli envisioned a “Hotelito del Alma”, a little hotel of the soul, where luxury lies not in excess but in space, silence, and connection. In the early 2000s, he transformed a crumbling medieval structure into Eremito, using traditional Italian masonry and sustainable technologies. Completed with the labor of master stonemasons over four years, the resort opened its doors in 2014 as a haven for solo travelers seeking respite from a hyper-connected world. Today, Eremito stands as Italy’s first B Corp-certified eco-resort, a testament to its regenerative ethos and Murzilli’s dream of redefining luxury as spiritual renewal.

A Regenerative Sanctuary

Eremito’s commitment to the Earth is woven into its core. The resort is energy-independent, powered by photovoltaic panels, vacuum solar panels, and a tracking solar concentrator, with thick thermal insulation in its stone walls to conserve heat. Candlelight, the primary source of illumination, casts a gentle glow, reducing energy use while evoking monastic serenity. Drinking water flows from a local well 100 meters deep, served straight from the tap, and instead of a swimming pool, guests are invited to swim in the nearby river, preserving the land’s natural flow. The organic kitchen garden supplies most ingredients for the vegetarian menu, with homemade bread, pasta, cakes, and jams crafted daily. Eggs come from Eremito’s own chickens, while legumes, wine, and olive oil are sourced from nearby Umbrian producers, ensuring a zero-kilometer ethos.

This regenerative spirit extends to the land itself. Set within a UNESCO nature reserve, Eremito nurtures biodiversity, with native flora and fauna thriving across its vast estate. The resort’s B Corp certification reflects its rigorous measurement of environmental and social impact, from waste reduction to community engagement. Local residents are welcomed for talks and readings, preserving Umbria’s monastic culture while fostering connection. Guests can join permaculture workshops to learn about soil health or simply wander the oak woods, breathing in the untouched magic of the “green sea” that locals call these hills.

A Monastic Embrace

Eremito’s 13 “Celluzze” rooms, inspired by medieval monastic cells, are designed for solo travelers, offering a rare space for introspection. Each room is a study in Franciscan minimalism: a single bed with hand-embroidered linens, a stone writing desk facing the rose garden or woods, and a small bathroom with a shower and natural products in reusable containers. Cool stone floors, underfloor heating, and the absence of Wi-Fi, phones, or televisions create an atmosphere of uncluttered calm. Candlelight softens the evenings, and the silence, punctuated only by the wind or distant birdsong, feels like a gift. This is not a place for conventional luxury but for those who find richness in simplicity and solitude.

The communal spaces echo this ethos. The refectory, where silent dinners honor monastic tradition, features long tables under a pergola in summer or beside a crackling fireplace in winter. A cozy living room with a hearth invites shared stories or quiet reading, while the wellness corner, a heated pool carved from rock and a stone steam bath, offers serene relaxation. The chapel, a nod to Umbria’s spiritual heritage, hosts Gregorian chanting workshops and meditation, grounding guests in the region’s sacred past.

A Feast for Body and Soul

Dining at Eremito is a celebration of Umbria’s ancient culinary traditions, reimagined with regenerative intent. The vegetarian menu, served in the refectory, draws from the finca’s organic garden, where seasonal vegetables, herbs, and fruits flourish. Dishes like homemade tagliatelle with wild mushrooms, hearty legume soups, or olive oil-drizzled bruschetta burst with flavor, paired with local wines or “Melemito,” a sweet infusion of woodland herbs. Breakfast brings homemade cakes, jams, and fresh eggs, enjoyed under grapevines or by the fire, depending on the season. Every meal is a reminder of the land’s generosity, prepared with care by a community of staff who live on-site and infuse their work with joy.

The dining experience is unique, with silent dinners fostering mindfulness and connection to the moment. Guests describe the food as “fabulous” and “excellent,” a testament to its simplicity and quality. For those curious to recreate these flavors, Eremito’s cookbook shares recipes rooted in the monastic Mediterranean tradition, inviting the spirit of the refectory into homes worldwide.

Experiences in Nature’s Embrace

Eremito is a haven for those seeking to unplug and reconnect. Explore the UNESCO nature reserve on guided walks, where oak woods and rolling hills reveal Umbria’s mystical beauty. Swim in the nearby river, its cool waters a refreshing alternative to a pool, or join yoga and meditation sessions in the chapel or lawn, designed to rejuvenate body and mind. Gregorian chanting workshops and storytelling evenings tap into the region’s spiritual heritage, while permaculture classes offer hands-on lessons in sustainable living. For quieter moments, find a chair on the lawn, sip Melemito, and let the valley’s panorama, described by guests as “breathtaking”, work its magic.

The resort’s epigenetic boost recovery retreats, offered regularly, blend wellness practices with nature immersion, helping guests reset in profound ways. Horseback riding, cooking classes, or visits to nearby Parrano’s mineral springs and Roman ruins add depth to the experience, while the absence of digital distractions ensures every moment feels expansive. Eremito’s remote location, accessed via a white dirt track, enhances its sense of escape, with a free shuttle from the parking area 3 km away ensuring ease of arrival.

A Vision for a Connected World

Marcello Murzilli and his team envision Eremito as more than a retreat, a model for living in harmony with nature and oneself. By preserving monastic culture and achieving B Corp certification in 2024, they aim to inspire a global shift toward regenerative tourism. The community-driven approach, with staff living on-site and engaging guests through talks and workshops, fosters a sense of shared purpose. Eremito’s sustainability efforts are transparently shared via its website, social media, and in-person interactions, inviting guests to carry its lessons home. Their dream is to create space for everyone to find peace, proving that true luxury lies in silence, nature, and connection.