Among the main points of interest in Fonzaso is the hermitage of San Micel, which for many years was the place from which the town was protected from fires, earning it the nickname "the house of the fire guardian." This complex is immediately visible from the center of Fonzaso, situated in a niche carved into the rock of Mount Avena.
The hermitage consists of two distinct buildings: the first is a church dedicated to San Michele, while the second is the so-called "house of the fire guardian." This second building was of fundamental importance considering that most of the town's buildings were completely made of wood. From this house, it was possible to see any trace of smoke or flames.
It is fully integrated into a niche of rock and is topped by battlements that have given it the nickname of "castle." The hermitage is also a place of worship. Notable in the church dedicated to San Michele is the painting on the altar depicting San Michele defeating Lucifer and the Divine Eye on the ceiling. Nearby is also the statue of the Madonna and the inscription "Ave Maria," which evoke the religious cult. Although these structures are not open to the public, it is possible to visit everything from the outside.
