Fonte Colombo - Poggio Bustone (47 km, vzponi 1100 m)

From the Fonte Colombo monastery we descend back into the valley. The city of Rieti is only 10 km away. <u><strong>Rieti</strong></u> is the capital of the eponymous province in the Lazio region and an episcopal see. The name comes from the legend of Remus and Romulus, and their mother Rhea Silvia. It lies in a bend of the Velino River. It is surrounded by hills on all sides. We will visit the impressive Romanesque church of Santa Maria, which was renovated in Baroque style. From Rieti we head 4 km south uphill to the La Foresta monastery, where St. Francis stopped to heal. The place is known for the miracle related to the grapes that the followers of Francis trampled before the local priest. Continuing along the way, we descend back into the valley and cross the hills again towards the town of Cantalica. Before the climb to our destination, the Poggio Bustone monastery in the place of the same name, which is perched on a steep hillside at an altitude of 800 m, Rudi is waiting for us to recharge. <u><strong>Poggio Bustone</strong></u> The monastery and the church of St. James from the 14th century are built a little above the village. In a remote part above the monastery, Francis found a hollowed-out cave where he prayed and meditated. Here he was revealed the complete forgiveness of all his sins. In the monastery, there are frescoes from the 17th century that depict the life of St. Francis. In the lower rooms beneath the monastery, there are caves where the brothers rested and prayed.