Cantalice between Pilgrimage Routes, Village History and Lakes

Cantalice can be explored through several closely interconnected themes: a medieval village, churches and sanctuaries, signposted routes, lakes in the Rieti Plain, and a regional calendar of festivals and culinary traditions. For planning your trip, this creates a place where historical traces and landscape impressions stand side by side.

The Medieval Village and Its Churches

An impressive stone staircase with 350 steps crosses the medieval village of Cantalice and branches out there. The Torre del Cassero is an 11th-century tower and bears witness to the existence of an ancient castle. The Chiesa di San Felice was built in 1700 and dedicated to the patron saint of Cantalice.

The Chiesa della Madonna della Pace also leads into the history of the town: it was built in 1571 to commemorate the peace between Cantalice and Rieti. The Chiesa di Santa Maria del Popolo contains the tomb monuments of Giovan Battista Valentini, “Cantalicio”, and San Felice Porri. With its history, the church also represents the union of the old castles from which the Castello di Cantalice emerged.

San Felice and Religious Traditions

The Santuario di San Felice all’Acqua was built beside the spring considered miraculous and associated with San Felice. At the Santuario di San Felice all’Acqua, Masses are celebrated every Sunday from the last Sunday in August to the first Sunday in October, and rites are held in honour of the saint.

The patron saint’s festival, Festa patronale di San Felice, takes place every year on 18 May. On this occasion, the statue of San Felice is carried in procession through the streets of Cantalice. These fixed dates give religious customs a clear place in the town’s annual cycle.

Pilgrimage Routes and Mountain Trail 422

Cantalice lies on the second stage of the Cammino di San Francesco from Poggio Bustone to Rieti. The Cammino di Benedetto passes through Cantalice along the section connecting the Franciscan sanctuary of San Giacomo in Poggio Bustone with the Santuario di Santa Maria de La Foresta in the direction of Rieti.

The Cammino di San Felice da Cantalice runs from the Santuario di San Felice all’Acqua in Cantalice to Cittaducale and is approximately 23 kilometres long. In addition, mountain trail 422, marked with CAI trail signs, leads from Cantalice to Fonte Versanello. It is classified as easy and takes 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Lakeside Landscapes and Birdwatching

The square in front of the Chiesa di San Felice offers views of Laghi Lungo (Lago di Cantalice) and Lago di Ripasottile. The Riserva Naturale Regionale Laghi Lungo e Ripasottile encompasses two small lakes in the Rieti Plain. Surrounded by reeds and wet woodland, the lakes are suitable for birdwatching, especially in winter and during bird migration.

Strengozze and the Festival Calendar

The Sagra delle Strengozze takes place at the end of August. Strengozze Cantaliciane have been recognised by ARSIAL Lazio as a traditional typical product. Both references add a culinary aspect to the historical, religious and landscape-related themes.

The Right Accommodation for Planning Your Trip

When choosing your accommodation in Cantalice, you can take the focus of your trip into account: village history and churches, religious dates, pilgrimage routes, mountain trail 422, or the lakeside landscape and its birdwatching opportunities. A hotel or other accommodation is therefore not selected on the basis of a general promise, but according to which of these specific aspects of Cantalice are decisive for your days there.

More Destinations

Roccantica, Pian De' Valli, Cantalupo In Sabina, Poggio Sommavilla, Labro, Contigliano, Piedicolle, Collegiove

To the higher-level travel overview: Rieti.