Rieti between Franciscan Paths, Lakes and Urban History

Rieti between mountains, lakes and urban history

Rieti combines historic sites, mountain landscapes and bodies of water with various options for planning your trip. Lago del Salto is the largest artificial reservoir in Lazio. The part of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park located in Lazio lies mainly in the province of Rieti. Another natural area is the Laghi Lungo e Ripasottile Regional Nature Reserve, which is particularly suitable for birdwatching in winter and during migration.

Experience mountains and water actively

There is a cable car on Mount Terminillo that leads to the summit. Terminillo is also a renowned ski resort and therefore appeals to winter sports enthusiasts as well. Excursions to the surrounding mountains and the Monte Navegna e Cervia Nature Reserve start from Lago del Turano.

Lago del Salto can also be explored actively: a road leads around the lake by car or bicycle, through oak and chestnut forests and over narrow bridges. The equipped beaches of Fiumata and Borgo San Pietro offer canoe rental and wakeboarding. When rafting, you can travel down the river in an inflatable boat, canoe or SUP; the descent ends in the centre of Rieti near the Roman bridge.

Franciscan Paths around Rieti

The routes of the Cammino di San Francesco begin in the city of Rieti. The path is marked with white-and-red trail markings and yellow Tau signs. A more challenging variant leads to the votive temple of Pian Dè Valli on Mount Terminillo.

The Rieti–Fonte Colombo–Greccio route begins next to the Cathedral of Santa Maria in Rieti, on Via Cintia by the statue of Saint Francis. After approximately one hour on foot, it reaches the sanctuary of Fonte Colombo. The Abbey of San Pastore can also be visited as a stop along this route. The sanctuary includes the Holy Grotto and the Chapel of Saint Michael. Francis of Assisi came to Fonte Colombo in the summer of 1223 to draw up the third and final Rule of the Order.

Culture in the historic city centre

The Museo Civico di Rieti is located in the historic city centre and is divided into two sections. The archaeological section displays numerous artefacts from Rieti and the Sabine region, dating from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. The “Life, Death, Religion” room preserves objects for everyday and religious use from the Iron Age as well as from the Etruscan and Hellenistic periods.

The Flavio Vespasiano Theatre was inaugurated on 20 September 1893 with performances of Pietro Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Gounod’s “Faust”. The Flavio Vespasiano Theatre bears the name of the emperor Flavio Vespasiano, who came from the Sabine region, and follows the layout of a classical Italian theatre with two audience areas, three tiers and a gallery. The Paroniana City Library holds approximately 140,000 old and modern volumes, including editions from the 16th century, codices and incunabula. Its local history section collects documents on the history of the city of Rieti and the development of its territory.

The bridge over the Velino is also part of the city’s history. Its construction helped fortify the inner-city section of the Via Salaria after Reate was connected with Rome in 290 BC. The urban trekking route in Rieti is a five-kilometre circular route with a duration of three hours.

Other places in the region

Colli Sul Velino, Labro, Montasola, Monteleone Sabino, Montopoli Di Sabina, Passo Corese, Poggio Catino, Poggio Mirteto, Poggio Sommavilla, Talocci, Tarano, Torricella In Sabina, Varco Sabino, Magliano Sabina, Poggio Nativo, Salisano, Stimigliano, Cantalupo In Sabina, Rieti, Santa Maria, Casperia, Torri In Sabina, Misericordia, Grotti, Poggio Vittiano, Configni, San Polo, Castelnuovo Di Farfa, Poggio Moiano, Fara In Sabina, Greccio, Cottanello, Leonessa, Montebuono, Castel San Pietro, Casaprota, Poggio San Lorenzo, Monte San Giovanni In Sabina, Contigliano, Belmonte In Sabina, Scandriglia, Gavignano Sabino, Madonna del Mattone, Forano, Cantalice, Canneto, Pian De' Valli, Roccantica, Cittareale, Amatrice, Cittaducale, Posta, Selci, Collegiove, Accumoli, Fiumata, Orvinio, Casali, Vacone, Colle Di Tora, Micigliano, Pescorocchiano, Nespolo, Limiti Di Greccio, Borgo Velino, Rocca Sinibalda, Castel di Tora, Poggio Bustone, Toffia, Antrodoco, Piedicolle, Roccaranieri, Ornaro, Sellecchia, Piano, San Giovanni Reatino, Santa Rufina, Montenero Sabino, Apoleggia, Longone Sabino

To the main travel overview: Lazio.