MY LAST TRAVEL EXPERIENCE: IL CAMMINO DI SAN BENEDETTO

Il Cammino di San Benedetto is a walk of three hundred kilometers from Norcia, the foothills of the Sibillini Mountains, to Subiaco, in the upper Aniene Valley, until Cassino, in the Liri Valley, passing through the most significant places in the life of St. Benedict of Norcia. 16 stages through paths, driveways, and roads with low traffic, crossing valleys and mountains of Umbria and Lazio. Not only a trip to the Benedictine world, but also a pilgrimage to the places of sometimes highly popular saints like Rita of Cascia, Francis of Assisi, Thomas Aquinas; or less known as Joseph of Leonessa or Agostina Pietrantoni.

I leaved not from Norcia but from Subiaco, cause I could not take a lot of vacation days.

Subiaco combines spirituality, history, art, nature. In his history alternate abbots, popes, noble families. In Sacro Speco worked some of the greatest artists of the fourteenth century, and there was a pilgrim St. Francis of Assisi; while the Abbey of St. Scholastica is the cradle of the Italian press. The surrounding mountains Simbruini are lovely and rarely visited; while fresh Aniene waters are suitable for water sports.

Beyond Trevi, you will be welcomed by the beautiful woods of Ernici. Then you will find some picturesque medieval villages: Guarcino, Vico and Collepardo . Under the major peaks of Ernici, you will be able to visit the wonderful Certosa di Trisulti. By continuing yhe walk, you will aim towards the Liri valley, not before having visited the Abbey of Casamari, magnificent example of Cistercian Gothic.

In Arpino you will be able to see the beautiful historic center and the stunning Acropolis. From Roccasecca  home to St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church, retracing the steps of monks, pilgrims and soldiers, you will come finally to Abbey of Montecassino, in Cassino (my town), the Abbey that more than any other has contributed to the creation of a European Christian culture.

This will be the best conclusion to a Way that led us across much of central Italy, to learn about the life and works of St. Benedict, along with art, culture, history of a good slice of the "Bel Paese".

For info www.camminodibenedetto.it