Peter the Spaniard

Peter the Spaniard (in Italian Pietro Ispano) was a hermit of the 10th century, from an unknown place of the Iberian Peninsula, perhaps Andalusia. He lived as an anchorite at Boville Ernica in Lazio, Italy. His life rests on very few sources, and the time he lived is not known; his veneration is attested from the 12th century, and placing him in the 10th century is uncertain.

According to legend, he was born into a noble and rich family, perhaps of Baetica, and fought in Spain against the Muslims. His parents arranged his marriage to a young woman, but he, who wanted a life of Christian perfection, had consecrated his virginity to God. On the very night of the wedding he left home as a pilgrim. Arriving in Italy, he settled in a cave at Boville Ernica, where he lived as an anchorite. He is said to have worn a coat of mail on his bare body, as a rough garment of penance.

He had a reputation of holiness and many miracles were told of him. After his death he began to be venerated. Over the cave in which he lived a church was raised in the 12th century, around which the present village of Boville formed. The church, called San Pietro Ispano, keeps in its crypt the saint's cave and a bust reliquary of silver, attributed to Benvenuto Cellini, with the hermit's relics.

He is a local saint of the West; no Orthodox synodal canonization is known. The story of his life is largely legendary.