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WayofStFrancisUpdatesChecktheattachedcomprehensivelodginglistforcompleteandcurrentinformationonlodgingcontacts.IntroductionTheModernWayofStFrancis
• TheDiQuiPassoSanFrancescohasrecentlymergedwiththeViadiFrancescoandhasbeenretiredasanofficialroute.However,somemarkingsstillremainonthetrail.
GettingThere
• Perugia/Assisi/SanFrancescoAirport(PEG)–NowservesLondon(Stansted),Catania,Bucharest,Tirana,Trapani,Brussels(Charleroi)andMunich.
GettingAround
• Train–TrainserviceisalsoavailableatMarmore(Stage21).Pilgrimcredentialandtestimonium
• Deleteformercredentialinstructions–Gotothewebsite:www.piccolaccoglienzagubbio.itanddownloadthecredentialapplicationform.Fillitoutandeithersendthecompletedformviaemailtocredenzialedelpellegrino@gmail.comorbymailto:
PiccolaAccoglienzaGubbioviaBaldassini2206024GubbioPG,Italia.
Thiswonderfulserviceisrunbyvolunteers,whosendcredentialsouteachweek.Makesuretoshowyouraddressexactlyasitshouldappeartobecorrectlymailedbyyournationalpostalservice.Allow6-8weeksfordelivery.
ItisalsopossibletosecureacredentialinpersonatthePilgrimOfficeadjacenttotheLowerBasilicadiSanFrancescoinAssisi.BythetimeofpublicationcredentialsshouldbeavailableatStJamesEpiscopalChurchinFlorence(ViaRucellai9,055294417).
• Minimummileage–100kmistheminimumwalkingdistancerequiredtoreceiveatestimoniuminAssisiorRome.
Maps,GPSandWaymarking
• DeleteOpenCycleMapsdownload–OpenStreetMapscaneasilybedownloadedintoexcellenthikingappslikeGalileoProonyoursmartphone.WhenshoppingforaGPSapp,makesuretofindonethatallowsdownloadablemapssothatitisnotnecessarytobeconnectedtoacellservicewhilehiking.
Accommodation
• Hostels–Pilgrimhostelsusuallyofferblanketsandpillows.Plantobringasleepingbaglinerandhikingtowelsincelinensarerarelyoffered.
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• BusinessHoursandtheRiposo
• Riposo–InsmalltownsandvillagesthiscanmakeitachallengetofindgroceriesonSundaymornings,sobecertaintoplanahead.
WhentoGo
• Climate-July1throughAugust15arehistoricallythehottestweeksoftheyearandarebestavoidedunlessyou'rereadyforveryhottemperatures.
(NewSection)WaterFountains
• Onlyoccasionallyaretherewaterfountainsinthemiddleofastageandwhenthereare,theyareseldommarkedfordrinkability.Ourmapsshowlocationsofwaterfountainsthatareconfirmedaspotable,butcarryinga2-literwatersupplyinfallandspringanda3-litersupplyinthesummerisrecommended.
Training
• Theoftensteephillswillchallengeanyonewhohasn'ttrainedadequatelyinadvance,thoughmostanyonewillfindthemselvesstrongerandmorefitafterwalkingseveraldays.
DiscoveringFlorence
• BasilicaSantaCroce–CostofadmissiontoBasilicaSantaCroceisnow€6.ThecredentialstampoftheBasilicaSantaCroceisavailableattheFranciscanbookshopinsidethebasilica,justofftherightsideofthenavenearthesacristy.Thebasilicaopensat10:00eachdayandissometimesclosedforholidays.
Stage1–FlorencetoPontassieve
• OnlinebookingforOstelloVillaCamerataisnowatwww.ostellofirenze.it.• ToscanidaSemprenolongeroffersbreakfast.
Stage2–PontassievetoConsuma
• Difficulty–Replace“Moderate”with“Hard.”• Forestlogging–UseofGPSisimportantinthissectionduetorecentlogging
ontheforesttrails.• Consuma–CammereCarlettihasnewcontactinformation:
www.affitticonsuma.it,tel3467916151,[email protected] ,€30perperson,includingbreakfast.Theroomsareabout0.5kmfromtheheartoftownandIrinaoranotherstaffmemberwillhappilydrivetiredpilgrims.Thekitchensarenotavailableforpilgrimuse,buttherestaurantservesanamplemenu.
• Correctedinfo–[email protected] /65Europriceincludesbreakfast.Dinnerandsacklunchareavailable.
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Stage3–ConsumatoStia• Difficulty–Replace“Hard”with“Moderate.”• Stia–ThenewphonenumberforAlbergoFalteronais0575583545.
Stage4–StiatoCamaldoli
• Variant–WatchoutforthevariantatSP72thatdirectsyoutoCamaldoliMonastery.ThisvariantmissedavisittotheCamaldoliHermitage.
Stage6–BadiaPratagliatoSantuariodellaVerna
• Santicchio–AnovernightattheMountainRetreatCasaSanticchio(www.santicchio.org,tel.05751787586,[email protected] ,40-55€includessheets,towels,breakfastanddinner.Wineextra.),allowstheoptionofshorteningthisstagebylengtheningthepriorveryshortstagefromCamaldoliandwalkingthroughBadiaPratagliatoSanticchio.AfterFrassinetaandjust100mbeforethesummitatPoggiodellaForcaturnrighton070AinsteadofturninglefttoRimbocchi.Followthepathabout700mtoCasaSanticchio.
• SantuariodellaVerna–TwelvebedsareavailableinthepilgrimdormitoryatSantuariodellaVerna.Thebedsarebydonation,butacostof€25coversdinnerandbreakfast.Askatthereceptiondeskfortowelsandlinens.
Stage7–SantuariodellaVernatoPieveSantoStefano
• Additionallodgingoption--CheckalsoCampingLaCivetta(VialaCivetta11,3384689145,[email protected] )withitsbedsinbungalowsandtents.Linensavailable.Cookingpossible,breakfastbyrequest.
Stage8–PieveSantoStefanotoSansepolcro
• Trail22behindtheEuroHotel–Aloggingoperationinlate2014hasalmostcompletelyobscuredthetrail,whichnowrequiresgreatcautionbyhikers.Followthetrailfrombehindthehotelasmarkedandtraversethehillsidewiththeriverbelow.Carefullycontinue450mafterthehotel,throughtheloggedarea,untilafter30maftertheloggedareaends.Here,takeanuphillpathtotheright.Injust100myoucometothegravelroadandturnleft.Ifyouneedtoclimbasteepandslipperybankyou’vegonethewrongway.
• Montecasale–Whilethisguiderecommendsanalternatepathratherthanthemoredifficult,officialroutefromPieveSantoStefanotoSansepolcro,theofficialrouteisdefinitelyanoption.FollowthemainroadsouthoutofPieveSantoStefano(withthefreewayonyourright)andfollowthesignstoaleftturn.ThisleadstoalovelyseriesofpathsthattakeyoutoCerbaioloand,afterabout25km,totheampleaccommodationattheEremoMontecasale.ThiskeyFranciscansiteontheofficialroutereceivesover5000pilgrimseachyear.Thehostelclosedinlate2016,sothereiscurrentlynoovernight
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optioninMontecasale.
•
• Importantsightseeingtip–Thetown'sPalazzodellaResidenza(viaAggiunti65,www.museocivicosansepolcro.it,containsoneofthegreatfrescoesoftheRenaissance,ResurrectionbyPierodellaFrancesca,paintedinthe1460's.
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• Sansepolcro-Anewpilgrimhostel,AccoglienzaaSansepolcro,welcomesguestsatIlConventodellSuoreOlivetane(ViaRicci,3396856139,[email protected] ,€15,byreservationonly)
Stage9–SansepolcrotoCiterna
• AdditionalCiternalodging–AgriturismoDraghiislocated3kmawayinMonterchi,butcanpickuppilgrimswithinCiterna.CorrectedphoneisAgriturismoDraghiis3393959147WithatruepilgrimwelcomeisTaoB&B(LoacalitàlePietre97,3317431965,[email protected] ,€20/30,2kmfromCiternabut100moffthetrail).
Stage10–CiternatoCittadiCastello
• LeBurgnecorrectedcontactinfo–3290192923,[email protected] .• Lerchi–Pleasenotethedangersinvolvedifyouchoosetotaketheroadfrom
LerchidirectlyintoCittàdiCastello.Carstravelatbetterthan70km/hrinthissectionandthereisnosidewalkorpathoneithersideoftheroadmostoftheway.Ifthedayhasbeentoolong,thebusisamuchsaferchoice.
• Lodgingaddition–SantaCeciliamonasteryoftheClarissesistershasroomsbydonation(ViadellaFraternita1,0758553066,[email protected] ).
Stage11–CittadiCastellotoPietralunga
• Candeggiocontactinfo–chepasso.camminodipace@gmail.com.Costis15Eurosperpersonwith10Eurodinneravailable.
• PievediSaddi–Contactinfochange:phoneis3295620677• IlPioppaCasa–Providesdinneruponrequest.
Stage12–PietralungatoGubbio
• Loreto–Hostelavailable(Loretoparishhostel,LocalitàLoreto,3460899676,[email protected] .)
• Gubbio–AdmissiontothePalazzodeiConsolimuseumis€5.• Gubbio–ThecorrectemailaddressoftheConventodiSanSecondois
[email protected] .• Gubbio–IfyouhaveadditionaltimeinGubbio,thelocaldiocesehascreateda
90-minutemini-caminoinsidethecitythathasacredential,completioncertificateandfreeTaucrossattheconclusion.ThewalktakesyoufromSanVittorina(thewolfchurch)uptothetopofthehillattheBasilicadiSanUbaldo.Formoreinformationortoorderonlinegotowww.fratellolupogubbio.itorsimplypickupthebookletattheTouristInformationOffice(carparkcashdesk)onViadellaRepubblicaneartheSanFrancescochurch.
• Gubbioaccommodation–Gubbioisservedbythepilgrimaccommodationline([email protected] )whosevolunteerssendoutViadiFrancescocredentialsandalsohelppilgrimsfindlodginginGubbio.Therearenofewerthannineparochialhostelsthatofferpilgrim
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lodging,includingInstitutoMaestrePierFilippini(CorsoGaribaldi100,tel0759273768,[email protected] ,donation),ConventodiSant’Ubaldo(ViaMonteIngino5,tel0759273872,[email protected] ,Donation)andConventodiSanSecondo(ViaMadonnadelPonte4,tel0759273869).AmongthehoteloptionsareGrottadell’AngeloHotel(ViaGioia47,tel0759271747,[email protected] ,from€36/52plus€6forbreakfast),HotelGattapone(ViaBeni11,tel0759272489,[email protected] ,€50/60),justoffPiazzaSanGiovanni.LookalsoforResidenzadiviaDante(ViaDante32,tel0757772674,[email protected] ,€25/80.
• Stage13–GubbiotoBiscina
• NewaccommodationoptionbeforeTenutadiBiscina–ThehermitatSanPietroinVignetoisgoneandinhisplaceatthe15thcenturyhermitageisapilgrimhostel([email protected] ,kitchenavailable,nofood,pleasemakeadonationtohelpoutthisnewpilgrimministry).
• AgriturismoSostaSanFrancesco–IstwokmoffthetrailonthemainGubbio/Assisihighway.
Stage14–BiscinatoValfabbrica
• EntrytoValfabbrica:Thoughitisnotcalledoutonthemapandnotmentionedinthedirectionsyouwillwalkunderasignificantlandmark--newhighwaybridge--asyouenterValfabbrica,justbeforecrossingovertheChiascioRiverbridge.
Stage15–ValfabbricatoAssisi
• Assisi–TheannualMarciadellaPace(PeaceWalk)occursinthelastweekofSeptember,culminatingon4OctoberfortheFestadiSanFrancesco.Assisibustleswithnoisytouristsandpilgrimsduringthefestivitiesandhotelreservationsarescarce.IfyoutravelinlateSeptemberorearlyOctoberbecertaintobookyourlodgingwellinadvancesinceSt.Francisdayeach4Octoberbustleswithpilgrims.
• Pilgrimofficeinformation–Thepilgrimofficeisopeninthesummerfrom10:00–1:00and3:30–5:30,dependingonvolunteerschedules.ThePilgrimMasstakesplaceeacheveningat6:00andincludesprayersforthosewhohaveregisteredasleavingorarrivingatthepilgrimofficeinAssisi.
• AssisiPilgrimHostel–IslocatedatViadegliEpiscopi1,3450343171,www.confraternitadisanjacopo.it,bydonation,openAprilthroughOctober)
• AdditionalAssisiAccommodation–AmericanRebeccaWinkewelcomespilgrimsatherBrigolanteGuestApartments(VicolodellaFortezza2A,tel3312222349,[email protected] ,€75/90for1-4guests).
Stage16–AssisitoSpello
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• Additionalaccommodations- InUrbeapartments(ViaGiulia97,0742301145,[email protected] ,€75double),FranciscanmissionarysistersatConventoPiccoloSanDamiano(ViaFonteVecchia22tel0742651182).
• EmailforMonasterodiSantaChiaraissantachiara.cnn@gmail.comandphoneis074278613.
• Delete--HoteldelPratoPaolucci• Correctedcontactinformation–ConventoSantamariaMaddalenaistel0742
302259,addressisViaCavour1.Stage17–SpellotoTrevi
• Foligno–AdditionalaccommodationoptionisAfittacamereRosella(ViaGiuseppeGaribaldi123,tel74072340,€15,kitchenavailable).
• AdditionalaccommodationinTrevi--LaCasarecciapizzeriahasroomsinthesummer(tel0742-780994,closedMondays),andinthePiazzadelMunicipiotheResidenceSant'Emilianohasdoubleandtriplerooms.Askforpilgrimprices([email protected] ,tel3482285443).
Stage18–TrevitoSpoleto
• Correction:Deletethefollowingsentenceinthisparagraphisincorrectsopleaseignorethedirectiontoturnleft:‘Atthepeach-coloredhousein300m,followtheroaddownhillandtotherightinthedirectionoftheSpoletoroadsign.Atthenextfork,turnleft.Soontheroadcomestoanotherfork,withyellowarrowspointingdownhillontotheViaDonSturzo.Instead,turnleftinthedirectionofthecafe/bar.’
• Detourduetoongoingconstruction–SinceconstructionsouthofFontidelClitunnoisongoingitissaferforpilgrimstoplantodetourearliertothebicyclepath.Therearetwooptionsforgettingtothebikepath,thesecondofwhichallowsastopatthebeautifulFontidelClitunno(anditsservices).
o Firstalternativeforreachingthebicyclepath–Afterthisparagraph:‘Atthepeach-coloredhouse….’followthesedirections:“Followtheroadinfrontofthecafé/barstraightasitgraduallyleadsdownhill.Stayonthisroad,theViaCorciano,withoutdeviationpasttheironcross,withthestonewallonyourleftside,untilitendsatthebottomofthehillinabout1.1km.TheroadendsatshortwallataT-junctionwithabusierroadbelow.Gorighttogetaroundthelowwallandthenmakeanimmediateleftontothistwo-lanearterialroad.Injust50misaroadturningofftotheright.Followthisroaddownhill,notingthebikepathmarkedontheright.Continueonthisroadoverthetwohighwaybridgesandathirdbridgewithastonewallontheleft.ImmediatelyafterthethirdbridgeturnleftontotheAssisi-Spoleto
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bikepath,whichyouwillfollowallthewaytotheoutskirtsofSpoleto.”
o Secondalternativeforreachingthebikepath:Alittlefurtheron,after
thesedirections:“GostraightaheadonthewideshoulderofVialeSettecaminiuntilIlCamminettoRistorante,whereabikepathcommencesontheleftsideoftheroad”followthesedirections:“LookforthetrafficlightaftertherestaurantwithsignspointingrighttoRome,TerniandSpoleto.Turnrightontothisroadandcarefullywalkalongtheshoulder.Crossarailroadbridgeandgoaroundtheroundabout,whichcrossesoverthefreeway,thencontinueacrosstheMarroggiaCreekonathirdbridge.Immediatelyafterthisthirdbridge,
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turnleftontothepavedbikepath,whichyoufollowtotheoutskirtsof
Spoleto.” • RevisedentrytoSpoletofromthebikepath–Thisnewinformationremoves
thelasthazardousstretchfromthehighway(andreplacesthetextintheguidefrom‘Turnoffthebikepath’to‘onViaFlaminia.’
o Crossthebridgetocontinueonthebikepath.In1.7kmthepathcrossesthecanalnexttoanautobridgeandthencirclesbackunderthebridgetocontinueontherightsideofthecanal.Inabout1.2kmthepathendsattheBiciGrillrestaurant(closedMondays).Gothroughtheparkinglotandpickupacontinuationofthebikepath,nowpaintedred/orangeasphalt.Thepathfollowsunderthefreewayoverpass,crossestheroadandcontinuesbetweenconcretecurbsontheoppositeside.In100mwhenthepathbranchestotherightandleftpickuptheleftbranchnexttothewallandfollowthatbranchasithugsthewall,passingsportsfieldsontheright.CurverightwiththepathontoViaLorenzoBettiandinabouttwoblocksveerleftontothemainarterial,theViadelRisorgimento.Inoneblock,turnleft,leavingthesuburbofSanNicoloandenteringSpoletoproperandinjustonehalfblockturnrightontoViaGiordanoBruno,catchingsidewalks
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wheretheyareavailableforthenextthreeblocks.Attheendofthestreet,veertowardtheleftontotheViadeiFilosofi,andfollowitasitcrossestheViadeiMestieriataroundaboutandgraduallyheadsbackalongsidethecanal.Forthenext400mtheroadfollowsthecanalwithanamplesidewalkontheleft.Acrossareaseriesofshoppingcenters,includingtwosupermarketsandapharmacy.JustaftertheEuroSpinSupermarketthecarroaddivides.Followthedirectionofthecarsgoingaheadtowardtownontoanarrow,twolane,one-waystreet.Gostraighttowardthelow,churchtowerandinonelongblockturnleft.Walktwoblocksandturnright,enteringthecitygatesofSpoletoatPiazzaGaribaldi.
• NewGPXtrack–PleasemakecertaintodownloadandusetherevisedGPX
trackentitled“18.TrevitoSpoleto2015”• Spoletolodging–HotelAuroraisclosed.B&BVillaMassaccesi(ViaXVII
Settembre11,tel074348015,[email protected] )offersa10%pilgrimdiscountanduseofthekitchen.CheckforpilgrimpricesattheCasaReligiosadiOspitalitaSanPonziano(viadellaBasilicadiSanSalvatore2,tel0743225288,[email protected] )andatOstelloVillaRedenta(ViadiVillaRedenta1,tel0743224936,[email protected] ,€20/40).
Stage19–SpoletotoCeselli
• ClosureofPontedelliTorreBridge–(Note:Thebridgewastemporarilyclosedon25August2016forseismicstudies.CheckwiththeTouristOfficeto
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confirmthebridgewillbeopenthedayofyourwalk.Ifitisclosed,walkaroundtotheoppositesideviahistoricBasilicaSanPietro.)
• CasaVacanzeIlRuscello–Newphonenumberis3402296792.Pilgrimsindicatetheuseofkitchenisnolongerallowed.
• Cesellihostelcontact–Linaat3392428928orCatiaat3338430385.Stage21–ArronetoPiediluco
• CascatadelleMarmore–PleasenotetherecommendedbutunmarkedlowerentrytoMarmoreFallswhichremovestheneedtoclimbbackdowninsidetheparktogettothebottomofthefalls.(Taketheunmarkedpartjustafterthegreengateandfollowittotheright.Crossafieldandparkinglottoreachthelowerticketoffice)
• LodgingatCascatadelleMarmore–LodgingavailableatIlCasolaredellaCascata,SSValnerina209tel074462362,[email protected] ,€25perperson
• NewEntrytoPiediluco–ThankstoguardiansoftheViadiFrancescoanewroutebetweenMarmoreandPiedilucolimitstheamountoftimeonthehighwaytoonly350m(replacesthetextfrom‘Forthenexthalfhour’to‘thelong,narrowtown.’)
o Carefullyfollowthemainhighwaytowardtheleftand,inabout350m,turnleftafterawhitestuccoandstonehouseontoabrokenasphaltroadthatleadsslowlyuphill.Followingthesigns,in300mturnrightataforkontoatwotrack,whitegraveldrivewaywhichyoufollowuntilitendsatagatemarked“27ViaPontedelPrato.”Nowturnrightontoadirtroadandimmediatelytaketheforktotheright.Thetrackquicklynarrowstoafootpathandbeginstoclimbmoresteeplyuntilthetrailendsatagravelroad.Turnrightandimmediatelycometocomplexintersectionofroadsandpaths.Lookingtoyourleft,takethedirttrackthatisjusttotherightofthetwopowerpoles.Thispleasantpathundulatesgraduallyupward,andviewsofPiedilucoanditslakesoonopentotheright.Soonyoucometotheredbrickandconcretewallsofthetown’scemetery.Turnrightattheendofthecemeterywall,crossingthroughtrees,andgoleftontheasphaltroad.FollowthisroaddownwardandtowardtotherightasitbecomestheViadelRioCervaro.Atthebottomofthehillturnrightandgounderthehighwaybridge,followingtheroad.Walkaroundafield,pastawastewatertreatmentplant,footballfieldandparkinglotandatthestopsignturnleftontothemainroadofthelong,narrowtownofPiediluco.
• NewGPXtrack–MakecertaintodownloadandusetheGPXtrackforthisstagelabeled“21.ArronetoPiediluco2015.”
Stage22–PiedilucotoPoggioBustone
• Labro–NewaccommodationrightincharmingLabroisavailableatAlbergoDiffusoCrispolti(www.albergodiffusocrispolti.com,ViaVittorioEmanuele16,
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tel0746636135,[email protected] )• AddtheitalicizedwordstothesectionafterLabro–“Continue400mbeyond
thebartotheCarabinieriandcometoaforkintheasphaltroad.Takethefootpathinthemiddleoftheforkgoinguphill.Asteepclimbnowbegins.Turnrightattheforkin300m,rightagainontotheasphaltroadwithafence,andsoonturnrightagainontoanasphaltroadthatyoufollowforthenext400m.Watchforawaymarkthatdirectsyouleftofftheasphaltroadontoagravelroadgoingsteeplyuphill.”
• NewapproachtoPoggioBustone–InordertoadddetailtotheentrytoPoggioBustone,hereisafullerroutedescription(replacingthetextfrom“SoontheCAImarkers’to‘MunicipioofPoggioBustone.’)
o SoontheCAImarkerssuggestturningofftheroadontoanarrowpath.Donottakethepath,whichleadsonlyontoanovergrownandimpassabletrail:insteadstayontheroadandfollowitasitmergeswiththeViadellaCasetta,apavedroadthatjoinsfromtheleft.Continuedownhill800mtothestopsign,whichisattheViaFrancescana.WhilealeftturntakesyoudirectlytotheFranciscanSanctuaryabovetown,turnrightandthenimmediatelytakealeftontoViaSanMarcotoreachtheheartofthevillage.NowinPoggioBustoneproper,followthebrokenasphaltamongcloselyspacedhousesdownhill.Atthedarkstonepavers,makeahardright,continuingsteeplydownhill.Theroadcurvestotheleft,thenmakesahardleft.Makeahardrighttowardtheyellowbuilding,steppingontoabrokenasphaltroadwiththeyellowbuildingonyourleft.Justafterthebuildingyouseeithousesthetown’spharmacy,justoppositethemainsquare.Golefttowardtheoverlookand,ifyouarestayingatLocandaFrancescana,lookforitsrestaurant–RestaurantFrancescana–severaldoorsdownhilltotheright.
• NewGPXtrack–BecertaintouseanddownloadtherevisedGPXtracklabeled“22.PiedilucotoPoggioBustone2015.”
• NewPoggioBustoneAccommodation–Atthebottomofthevillage,HotelVillaTizzi(ViaVillaTizzi4,0746688956,[email protected] ,€50/70includesbreakfast)hasbeautifulviewsofthevalley.
Stage23–PoggioBustonetoRieti
• LaForestaaccommodation–(Thesanctuaryhasfivebedroomsforpilgrimstel0746200727bydonation.Deletepriorcontactinfo.At500mafterthegatesisLeQuercediTara,viaForesta37,[email protected] ,€15perperson).
• Rieti–B&BLaTerrazzaFioritaisintheheartofRietianditsowner,Ritta,knowstheViadiFrancesco,ViadiRomaandRietiverywell(ViaPellicceria3,tel3477279591,[email protected] ,€25,breakfastbyrequest).CentroSpiritualitàMadreCabrinioffersrooms(ViaSFrancescaCabrini5,tel746200727,[email protected] ,pilgrimprices).
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Stage24–RietitoPoggioSanLorenzo• PoggioSanLorenzo–AdditionalaccommodationatCollinaSacroCuore.
WhenturningoffthepathontothefinalstretchofasphaltbeforePoggioSanLorenzo,turnleftandfollowthesignsoftheViadiRoma.Afterabout300mtowardthetownofTorricellainSabinayoureachthemodernconventbuildingofthesistersoftheOrderofAncelleSacroCuorediGesuwhohavewhomayhavebedsavailable(Loc.Faloni,tel765735017,[email protected] ,€40inclbreakfastanddinner.Byreservationonly).
• PoggioSanLorenzo–Anewaccommodation,LaCasadelPellegrino,isnowavailableintheheartofPoggioSanLorenzo(www.casadelpellegrino-psl.eu,tel3401619680,[email protected] ,€20inclbreakfast,washingmachineavailable).
• Newstageending–isnowatPoggioSanLorenzoPiazzaratherthanAgriturismoSantaGiusta.
Stage25–PoggioSanLorenzotoPonticelli
• RevisiontoNotes–Strikeoutformerparagraphandreplacewith“Rollinghillswithsteepbutbriefascentsmakethisadeceptivelychallengingstage.”
• NewaccommodationinMonteleone–(B&BSantaVittoria(ViaMutuesca181,
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tel3475988875,[email protected] )• Ponticelli–Anew
agriturismooffersaccommodationjustbeforePonticelli.GiuseppewelcomesyouatCasaledelleStelle(ViaXXSettembre16,www.casaledellestelle.it,3382261916,[email protected] ,from€59foradoubleroom.Breakfast,dinnerandlaundryareavailable).
• AdditionalphonenumberforPonticellihostel–callDanielaat3473120149.Stage26–PonticellitoMonterotondo
• Montelibretti–LodgingisavailablenearMontelibrettiatAgriturismoVillaLeMimose(www.villalemimose.com,tel0774631054,€35perperson),about1kmoffthetrackbeforetheclimbintotown.Alsorightin
theheartofMontelibrettiisB&BIDueGelsi(viaGaribaldi23,tel3476412908,€30,inclbreakfast).
• Monterotondo:Newaccommodationlisting:TheParishofSantaMariaMaddalena(MonterotondoDuomo)has5-6bedsavailableforpilgrims.(PiazzadiGiovanniPaoloII,[email protected] ,tel0690626060,bydonation)
Stage27–MonterotondotoMonteSacro
• Watertower--isat16.9kmfromstartofstage.• CorrectstreetnameinMonteSacro–replace“ViaNomentana”with“Corso
Sempione.”• MonteSacro–Nottobeconfusedwiththepensioneofnearlythesamename,
theB&BCittaGiardinooffersanalternativeandconvenientovernight,justtwoblocksofftheViaAdriaticaandsevenblocksfromtheendofthestage(ViaMoncenisio45,www.cittagiardino.com,tel3355637986,[email protected] ,€50/70singleinclbreakfast).DeleteMinervaCasaVacanze.AddtheSistersoftheImmaculateHeartofMary(PiazzaVulture15,tel068293786,€35)andCasaPerFerieSantaRita(ViaNomentana514,tel0686800016)arebothoptions.SeealsoB&BHappyGoose(ViaForzano20,tel3477697735,[email protected] ,€20/25pilgrimprice).
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ReceivingYourTestimoniumattheVatican
• MilvianBridgeinfo–siteoftheBattleoftheMilvianBridgeonOctober28,312.Becauseofadreamthenightbeforethebattle,ConstantinefoughtundertheChristianbannerandhisvictorythenextdayismarkedasthebeginningofChristianity'sacceptanceastheofficialreligionoftheRomanEmpire.
• • AlternateRoutetoVatican–beginningatthe“giantredgeometricsculpture”
It'spossibleheretoleavetheofficialrouteandoptforamoreurban(andinteresting)itinerary.GostraighthereandinoneblockturnleftontotheViaFlaminia,whichyoufollow1.5kmtotheimposingcitygatejustbeforePiazzadelPopolo.PassthroughthegateandimmediatelylooktoyourleftforBasilicaSantaMariadelPopolo,hometoworksbyRaphael,Bernini,Caravaggio,Bramanteandothers.Continuediagonallythroughthepiazza,veeringrightonViaRipeta,whichyoufollow1.1kmduringwhichitbecomesViadellaScrofa.TurnrightontoViaSant'Agostino,passingPiazzaSant'Agostinoontheright.InjusttwoblocksyouseetheentrancetoPiazzaNavonawithitsFountainoftheRiversbyBernini.KeeptheentrancetoyourleftandcontinuestraightinsteadastheroadnarrowstobecomeViadei
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Coronari,adelightfullyauthenticRenaissancelanenamedfortherosarybeadmakers(coroneinItalian)wholaboredhere.FollowViadeiCoronari450muntilitsend,crossViadiPanicoandthentakethefirstrightontoViadelBancodiSantoSpirito.JustablockaheadisthebeautifulPonteSant'Angelobridgewithitsangelicsculptures.CrossthebridgetowardCastelSant'Angelo,turnleftandyouseeSt.Peter'sBasilicastraightahead.
• PilgrimOfficeoffSt.Peter’sSquare–AtleastduringtheHolyYearitisnotnecessarytopassthroughtheguardsinordertosecureyourTestimonium.Instead,lookforthePilgrimOfficeamongthestorefrontsatthelastbuildingontheleftbeforethegrandcolonnade.PresentyourcredentialthereforaTestimonium.IftheofficeisclosedorisoutofblankTestimoniayoucanalsoreceiveahandwrittenTestimoniumattheSacristyinSt.Peter’sBasilica.Useyourpilgrimcredentialasyourentrypass.TheSacristyisusuallyclosedforriposobetween1:00and4:00.