One of the most suggestive side of the “Sabina” area is the deep spiritual link with Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of Franciscan order and patron of Italy. He spent in fact one of the most intensive part of his life in this area, also called the “Saint Valley”.
We suggest you then this itinerary: following the tracks and the evidences left in that places still today pregnant of mysticism and hearty devotion.

Official website: www.camminodifrancersco.it

You can see the map on the official website or here .

Not everybody knows for example that an initial part of Saint Francis life is linked with the city of Rieti: where various miracles and manifestation of charity with people, art and all the creatures have token place. Places to visit in this case are the magnificent “Palazzo Papale” and the Oratory near “Santa Croce” hospital, where the big “San Francesco” church has been built and finished in 1253.

Four kilometres far from Rieti there is instead the “S. Maria della Foresta” sanctuary also known with the simply name of “La Foresta”. The “San Damiano” small church is even today a high suggestiveness place, perfect for who is looking for peace and tranquillity.
You will be profoundly impressed and charmed by the profound silence of this place: Saint Francis chose it in fact to escape external world chaos and the warm but stifling believer hug. A intense green forest, with the nice sound of water sources and birds; you will be profoundly impressed by the atmosphere probably source of promptings for the “Cantico delle Creature” work.

Seventeen kilometres far from Rieti, in the Longo and Ripasottile lakes preserve there is instead the “Poggio Bustone” sanctuary.
This place in surrounded by nature, reminding visitors of the simplicity and the quietness that the Saint would highly appreciate.
It has a very suggestive history: San Francesco arrived in Poggio Bustone in 1209, after fleeing from the hostility of his fellow-citizens. In the wildest part of the mountain, thanks to his prayers and penances, he found the divine relation of forgiveness for the kind of life he had led in the past.
"Good day, good people" (“Buongiorno buona gente”) were the simple words that the Saint spoke to the inhabitants of that place. The kind of reception, love and politeness that he received there, are the same that will welcome you, unchanged throughout time and spirit.

Some unfailing elements of the extraordinary life of San Francesco were the solitary contemplation and the contact with the surrounding nature. If you happen to pass by “Rivodutri”, we suggest you stop there for half an hour in order to take a walk in the nature and secular woods of these lands, to discover San Francesco's beech tree. You can follow for 4 kilometres the country road from Rivodutri to Cepparo village, around the Fausola mountain slopes (1100 meters on the sea-level).
You can follow the Saint Francis way that, according to the tradition, during one of his mystic retreat found a repair under this tree from a tempest. The tree changed then the position of its branches to protect the Friar. Even if you are not religious or you won’t trust in this legend you will be impressed by this natural wonder: with its sinuous branches that creates irregular wonderful knots.
Someone says this is due to a natural mutation but it’s surprising to know that there are just two more examples like that in the world.

Seventeen kilometres far from Rieti, in the west part of its valley, you can admire instead the Greccio sanctuary. It is easy to understand, looking at this wonderful architectonic structure mounted in the rocky mountain, why it is called the new Bethlehem (for the ideation here of the first Nativity representation) and has been included in the 754 UNESCO sites part of the “World Heritage” program.

But you way on the Saint Francis tracks continue with one of the most important stage. This is the “Fonte Colombo” sanctuary situated five kilometres far from Rieti and also called the Franciscan Sinai. Here in fact in 1223 the Saint received the Rule to found his friar order.
Here, in the most hide part of a secular holm oak forest, in the most green side of the Raniero mountain, you have found the holiest place of your way. The atmosphere you can breath is exceptional; starting from the buildings to the pure water source and the cave where the Rule has been written.
You can visit also the “Maddalena” small church, dedicated to Jesus mother. The simplicity of the lines, the sobriety of the decorations and the typical environment are all symbols linked to Saint Francis and inspiration for his order during the centuries.

The last two steps of our itinerary are the “San Francesco” Temple and the Posta village.

The former has been built at 1,623 meters on the sea-level on the Terminillo mountain when Saint Francis has been proclaimed patron of Italy by Pope Pio XII in 1939. Perfectly merging its architectonic structure with high valuable mosaics, sculptures and furniture it keeps as a casket the most precious trace: the tomb of the Saint in front of which a light is perpetually burning.

If you happen to arrive to Posta village (S.S. 4 in the Passo Corese direction or Rieti direction if you are coming from Acquila) you can see some traces the Saint left in this place, at that time called “Machilone” and at the Naples kingdom borders. You can find in fact the Saint Francis church that would come from the original and smaller church of “San Matteo”, the first one created by the Franciscan order.
According to the legend the Saint, moving through this village, donated his coat and twelve breads to an hilly woman, too poor to cure her eyes. You will see that the Franciscan love and spirit there is even today still unchanged.

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