St. Benedict Statue in the Sacred Cave

Statue of St. Benedict by Antonio Raggi (1657), disciple of Bernini, in the Sacred Cave (Sacro Speco). Here Benedict lived alone as a hermit for three years around 500 AD. Benedict is shown as a young man, his arms folded across his chest while he meditates on the cross. A marble basket represents the food Benedict received from the monk Romanus. Subiaco Monastery, Subiaco, Italy.