Thursday, October 2nd
The Via Francigena route from Sutri to Campagnano di Roma is 15.2 miles. The day was very windy and we decided to shorten our walk by taking a bus from the town of Monterosi to Campagnano di Roma. Total miles today was 8 miles with 400 feet of elevation, a relatively easy day made somewhat harder by the headwinds. Our path was relatively quiet, taking us through fields and forests, far from traffic.
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| Today's typical scenery |
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| This is the first golf course we've seen in the 600+ miles we've traveled |
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| Another typical scene |
Friday, October 3rd
We had a peaceful, contemplative, albeit relatively long, walk today through the Parco Veio in the Sorbo Valley. Our route involved a few major climbs followed by some significant downhills for a total elevation gain of 1550 feet over 15 miles. We stopped a number of times along the way. Our first stop was the Santuario della Madonna del Sorbo. According to legend, Mary appeared to a young swineherd and told him to tell his village about the apparition; if no one believed him, she would perform a miracle. The villagers only believed the young man when he showed them his previously mutilated arm, now completely healed. A church and convent were later built in honor of the vision.
Our second stop was the town of Formello, which has the last picturesque medieval neighborhood on the Via Francigena. We stopped for a mid-morning refreshment before continuing on our way. We also stopped for lunch on a cement curb alongside the trail and then stopped again for an afternoon snack in the town of Storta. All of these stops delayed our arrival in La Giustiniana until late afternoon. By all the traffic on the road, it's obvious we are now in a bustling suburb of Rome.
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| Throughout our walk, we've seen trees like these on the hillside, trimmed up high. What a lovely canopy they provide. |
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| The Santuario della Madonna del Sorbo |
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| The fresco above the altar in the Santuario della Madonna del Sorbo depicts Mary's ascension into heaven |
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| This tree limb apparently knocked over the Via Francigena signpost |
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| Enjoying the view of the waterfall below the bridge |
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| An ancient mill sits beside this waterfall |
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| These ancient Etruscan wheels sit outside the mill providing a hint as to their original use |
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