The Path of the Franciscan Protomartyrs

Thematic

Outdoors
Spirituality

Duration

Half day

Level

Difficult

2 Minutes of reading

A fascinating and less travelled route, which can be walked in a week and which can be defined as a “Widespread Museum”

The Path of the Franciscan Protomartyrs winds in and around the Terni basin in six stages, touching a series of charming villages and towns, whose extraordinary beauty amazed Lord Byron and conquered painters like the talented Jean Baptiste Camille Corot, who called it The Enchanted Valley.

This itinerary which connects the towns that gave birth to the Holy Martyrs (Ottone from Stroncone, Accursio Vacutio from Aguzzo, Berardo from Calvi, Adiuto del contado from Narni and Pietro from San Gemini), offers one the opportunity to get to know the stretch of Umbrian land that links the territories of Terni, Narni, Stroncone, Calvi dell'Umbria and San Gemini. It retraces the paths that connect the urban centres, wonders, hermitages, convents and natural sites dear to St. Francis and his friars.

A fascinating and less travelled route, which can be walked in a week and which can be defined as a “Widespread Museum” consisting of natural beauties, Roman sites, medieval towns with their ancient festivals, Franciscan convents, Benedictine abbeys and churches with their marvellous frescoes.

Another key feature is its ring shape with departure and arrival in Terni.

The first stage, from Terni to Stroncone, is very demanding due to the continuous ups and downs in the Terni hills. The walk starts at the Church of Santa Maria della Pace in Terni and then continues in the midst of nature.
Along the way, it is possible to visit the remains of the ancient Benedictine Abbey of San Benedetto in Fundis and the Monastery of San Simeone, where the religious community of the Ricostruttori nella Preghiera (Reconstructors in Prayer) is present today.

Upon reaching the village of Stroncone, it ends at the 13th-century Convent of St Francis.

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Gallery

THE STAGES OF THE ITINERARY

Abbazia di San Benedetto in FundisAbbey of San Benedetto in Fundis
Along the route that connects Stroncone to Miranda are the remains of the Abbey of San Benedetto, which gets its name 'fundis' from the nearby source of the monks.

Monastero di San Simeone
Not far from the historical centre of Stroncone and Terni, in Località Cisterna, stands the ancient Monastery of San Simeone.

Convent of St. Francis (Sanctuary of Beato Antonio Vici)
The Convent of St Francis, sanctuary of Beato Antonio Vici of Stroncone, is located just outside the city walls, amidst olive groves and woods, in a place that dominates the surrounding valley.