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Towns in the Sacred Valley
 The Saint Francis Walk will help you relive Franciscan spirituality. It offers uncontaminated nature and it will take you through the narrow streets of picturesque villages and the airy squares of Rieti.
The towns situated along the Walk preserve historical centres that have not been touched by time and that house masterpieces to be discovered. Set upon high rocky areas, they have maintained their medieval layout of narrow streets that wind around houses and palaces to then open up unexpectedly onto the squares where their inhabitants gather. They keep the history, culture and tradition of this land alive.
The Walk will take you to Rieti, protected by imposing medieval walls, and Cantalice, teetering on a steep spur. You will be pleasantly surprised by Poggio Bustone and its fairytale landscape and by Rivodutri with its mysterious Alchemic Gate, or Sacred Gate. On the other side of the Sacred Valley you will visit the towering belfry at Greccio and the noble “palazzi” and grand church in Contigliano. The Walk continues to Mount Terminillo where you will find the remains of Saint Francis and Posta, an ancient Angevin foundation.
Rieti: An Enchanted Place Protected by Imposing Walls
This ancient city, whose origins are steeped in legend, was first owned by the Sabine and later by the Romans. It lived its greatest moment of splendour during the Middle Ages when it was home to many Popes and their followers.
The mighty walls surround a fascinating historical centre. The main square in Rieti is the social centre of the city and the charming Flavio Vespasiano Theatre is an acoustic treasure. The three churches dedicated to Saint Francis, Saint Dominic and Saint Augustine mark the urban layout with their grandeur. The Cathedral boasts masterpieces by great masters from Andrea Sacchi to Bernini. The Renaissance “palazzi” and the clear waters of the Velino River complete the scene.
Cantalice: A Stronghold on the Borders of the Kingdom of Naples
The earliest records of this town date to the 12th century. Situated within the borders of the Kingdom of Naples, it was in continuous conflict with Rieti. From the 14th to the 17th century many battles were fought between the small village and the capital city. This animosity reached a climax in 1577 when Rieti attempted to take the town by storm but it resisted and fought off its invaders.
Cantalice is rendered unique by its urban layout. It develops vertically along a steep rocky cliff. A very characteristic flight of steps cuts through the entire town. The silent summit if Mount Terminillo looms above. The little village culminates with the watchtower and the imposing Church of San Felice.
Poggio Bustone: A Spectacular View Overlooking the Sacred Valley
Situated at an altitude of 756 m above sea level, Poggio Bustone dominates the Sacred Valley offering a view and panorama of breathtaking beauty. In the 12th century, it was owned by the Farfa Abbey. It was later conquered by the Normans and at the end of the 12th century it became part of the territory governed by the city of Rieti.
Parts of the defensive structures that protected the town in the past centuries can still be seen today. Especially fascinating is the Porta del Buongiorno (Gate of the Good Day). Local legend narrates that Saint Francis entered this gate with his greeting of, “Good day good people”.
Rivodutri: The Mysterious Alchemic Gate
Rivodutri’s ancient origins are steeped in legend. It is cited in documents starting from the 13th century. After becoming a free municipality, it entered into the influential sphere of Rieti. In 1375 the town offered exile to the Guelph refugees fleeing from Rieti where the Ghibellines dominated. Mercenary soldiers from Rieti attacked the castle and occupied it. In 1439, Rivodutri was razed to the ground by order of Cardinal Vitelleschi but reconstruction began immediately in 1440.
The so-called Alchemic Gate, or Sacred Gate, rises in the heart of the town surrounded by winding streets and alleyways. This gate is enriched by various bas-reliefs with symbolic meanings.
Greccio: Belfries and Pure Natural Springs
Property of the Farfa Abbey, evidence of Greccio is first cited in documents dating 1091. The castle of Greccio was originally ruled by local lords but later ownership was passed on to the city of Rieti. It was sacked by the Napoleonic troops in 1799.
The imposing bell tower of the Church of San Michele Arcangelo is what remains of the original towers of the ancient castle of “Grecce”, or “Grezze”.
The surrounding nature exalts the beauty of the town offering precious treasures like the fresh and pure spring waters of Fonte Lupetta.
Greccio and its Franciscan Sanctuary have recently become one of the 754 properties included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Contigliano: Towering Majestically Upon a Hill
Dating back as far as Roman times, it is cited for the first time in 1021. It became part of the territory ruled by the city of Rieti in the 13th century. In 1501 it was attacked by the mercenary leader Vitellozzo Vitelli who led his troops in a violent siege of the castle that ended in the sacking and slaughter of its inhabitants.
The profile of the imposing apse of the baroque Church of San Michele Arcangelo dominates the Sacred Valley. Inside the church we find an extraordinary collection of paintings, church ornaments and stuccoes. Mass is still accompanied by the priceless 18th century organ.
Narrow alleyways and hidden passages lead to this historic centre rich in 16th and 17th century Noble “palazzi”.
Mount Terminillo: The Giant Protecting the Sacred Valley
The remains of Saint Francis are preserved in a grandiose Votive Temple on Mount Terminillo. Lush nature abounds all around. Majestic beech groves, stretches of junipers and deep valleys like the Scura Valley make this an ideal place for excursions, downhill skiing and cross-country skiing.
The bold peaks offer the perfect environment for rock climbing, ice climbing and extreme skiing.
Mount Terminillo is dominated by an uncontaminated nature where wolves and eagles have returned to make it their habitat.
The tourist facility was built in the 1930s and it soon became one of the most popular skiing resorts for Central and Southern Italy.
Posta: Founded by the Angevin on the Ancient Via Salaria
Posta was founded between the end of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th century when the borders of the Angevin Kingdom were being decided. This resulted in the reconstruction of the Machilone castle that had been razed to the ground in 1299 by the inhabitants of Aquila. The ancient ruins of Machilone can still be found at La Rocchetta. After its foundation, Posta was included in the Aquila territory and was in constant conflict with the neighbouring towns of Leonessa and Borbona. In 1535 it was given to the Spanish landowner Ferrante Cornejo and later it passed in ownership to the powerful Farnese family.
Set in the lush green Velino Valley, Posta preserves important traces of the ancient Via Salaria that has recently been restored. The Romanesque Church of Santa Rufina is also worth visiting.
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