Poggio San Lorenzo between olive terraces and history

The landscape of Poggio San Lorenzo is shaped by olive terraces. These terraces give the area an agricultural character. At the same time, the route of the Via di Francesco, Roman and pre-Roman traces, and tangible connections to agriculture and cuisine come together here.

Forests, olive groves and the Cammino di San Francesco

A stage of the Via di Francesco starting from Poggio San Lorenzo leads through forests and over hills covered with olive groves. The third stage of the Cammino di San Francesco begins in Rieti and ends in Poggio San Lorenzo. The section therefore ends in a landscape shaped by olive terraces. The combination of forest, olive groves and terraces accompanies the route all the way to its destination.

Roman and pre-Roman traces

During the Roman Empire, Poggio San Lorenzo became a castrum. Here, castrum refers to a military fortification on the Via Salaria. The location on this road and the military function are therefore connected.

Just outside Poggio San Lorenzo stands the church of Madonna dei Penitenti. It was built on the remains of a temple dedicated to the goddess Vacuna. The present church building therefore stands on a site where a religious building had already existed.

The ancient site of Anfiteatro di Trebula Mutuesca is also located in the surrounding area. In Valle Gemma there is a site that historians regard as a possible pre-Roman oppidum or Italic sanctuary. The historical classification of Valle Gemma remains open between these two possibilities.

Agriculture, festival and Piringhilli

Capo Farfa is located at Via Quinzia 126 in Poggio San Lorenzo. The farm offers tours and an educational farm. The Sagra del Frittello is a historic festival. It takes place on the weekend of Saint Joseph’s Day, on March 19. For travel planning around the festival, March 19 is the specific reference point. Piringhilli are handmade spaghettoni. They are served with a sauce made from tomatoes, garlic, oil and chili. The Sagra del Frittello thus represents a historic festival occasion, while Piringhilli is the name of a handmade pasta dish served with a sauce made from tomatoes, garlic, oil and chili.

Nature and animal care

Since 1980, Parco Faunistico Piano dell’Abatino has provided refuge and care for animals from a wide range of circumstances. Animal care therefore forms a distinct focus alongside the area’s forests, olive groves and historic sites.

Accommodation on the Via di Francesco

La Casa del Pellegrino is located on the central Piazza Guglielmo Marconi. The accommodation is next to the Via di Francesco and has 16 sleeping places. For pilgrims planning to use the stage destination as an overnight stop, this combines a location on a specific square with proximity to the Via di Francesco.

More destinations

If you would like to compare more places for your trip to Italy: Greccio, Roccantica, Poggio Moiano, Gavignano Sabino, Stimigliano, Colle Di Tora, San Polo and Collegiove.

To the overarching travel overview: Rieti.