Cesi, in the footsteps of Francis

This itinerary, immersed in nature and spirituality, will guide you through the symbolic places of Franciscan history, along the last two stages of the Way of the Franciscan Protomartyrs. Starting from San Gemini and arriving in Terni, you will experience the timeless atmosphere of Carsulae and the village of Cesi, as well as the silence of the ancient hermitage of La Romita di Cesi and the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Oro. You will walk along ancient paths, through woods and breathtaking landscapes, retracing the footsteps of the first Franciscan protomartyrs. A journey that combines history, faith and natural beauty.

First day: San Gemini - Carsulae - La Romita di Cesi - Cesi
Arrival in San Gemini and departure for a self-guided trek following the fifth stage of the Way of the Franciscan Protomartyrs, which leads from San Gemini to the village of Cesi. This is a mainly unpaved route, offering the chance to connect with history and nature in a timeless setting, starting from the archaeological site of the ancient Roman city of Carsulae, before climbing up to the Hermitage of La Romita di Cesi, an ancient Franciscan place surrounded by the silence of the woods, where Francis composed the Exhortatio ad Laudem Dei and where he used to retreat in prayer.
At the end of the stage, you will reach Cesi, a small village rich in history, where you can still breathe an atmosphere of times gone by. Known as the terrace overlooking the Terni basin, thanks to the splendid view over nearby Terni, Cesi is home to several churches worth visiting, including the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with a beautiful wooden choir and various precious paintings.
The route takes approximately 5/6 hours in total, covers around 12 km and has an elevation gain of approximately 650 metres.
Accommodation in the selected property, dinner and overnight stay.

Second day: Cesi - Terni - San Gemini
This is the final stage of the Way and, over its 12 km, leads from Cesi to Terni.
After breakfast, departure for the trek towards Terni, following the sixth stage of the Way of the Franciscan Protomartyrs. The route reaches the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Oro, where the ancient Franciscan convent once stood, built at the request of San Bernardino da Siena, before finally arriving at the Church of Sant’Antonio di Padova, the Antonian Sanctuary of the Protomartyrs. Inside, in addition to the altar decorated with paintings by Piero Casentini, the relics of the saints of the Way are preserved.
The route is approximately 12 km long, of moderate difficulty, with a slight uphill elevation gain and significant downhill sections, and can be completed in around 5 hours.
At the end, return to San Gemini, the starting point of the tour, by public transport or taxi.

The price includes:

• 1 overnight stay in a double room with breakfast in a 3/4-star hotel or non-hotel accommodation, depending on the selected solution
• 1 dinner in the hotel with a three-course menu, drinks not included
• Entrance to the Carsulae Archaeological Park