Saint Francis and Rieti
Saint Francis visited Rieti many times during his lifetime. He probably came for the first time around 1209 and then returned for a long stay in 1223 and again from the fall in 1225 to April 1226.

The first crèche in Christianity, the definitive Rule of the Franciscan Order and probably the Canticle of All Creatures were all gifts from Saint Francis to the Rieti Valley and the Rieti Valley preserves them preciously.

Saint Francis also expressed his love for this simple land by performing numerous miracles and episodes. Episodes that are at times lyrical and at times solemn but that all bear the mark of Saint Francis’ immense humanitarianism.

Francis chose Rieti and its valley as one of his homelands and he soon became a citizen of Rieti.
The Saint Francis Beech Tree at Rivodutri, his crossing of the ancient lake valley, and the Canticle of all Creatures testify to his love for the nature surrounding the land.

He loved the humility of the hermitages in the Sacred Valley as he loved the poverty and simplicity of its people: Angelo Tancredi, the Saint’s friend and personal guardian, Giovanni Velita, a nobleman from Greccio, the poor blind woman from Machilone (known today as Posta) and his doctor. This brief list holds the intimate relationship that united Rieti to the Ragged Saint.
He loved the creatures he met and protected in the valley: oxen, wolves, leverets, birds and fish.

Discover the affection and passion of Saint Francis in Rieti through the local art, episodes and people of Rieti that were his friends.