DAY X ON THE CAMINO FRANCIGENA Wednesday 18th June 2025. Montefiascone to Viterbo 18 KM

23 Apr
It would be a shame to leave Montefiascone without recounting the amusing story of its most famous (some say undeserved )wine.
Legend of Est! Est! Est!: 
The name originates from a story about a bibulous German prelate who sent his servant ahead to scout for good wines during his travels. The servant would mark promising taverns with “Est” (Latin for “it is”) on the door. If the wine was exceptionally good, he would write “Est! Est! Est!”. The bishop, impressed by the servant’s enthusiastic marking, embraced the wine and gave it the name. However,the priest took such a shine to it that he died from overconsumption; his pickled remains were laid to rest in the church of St Flávio.

Buona Salute!

Cathedral of Santa Margherita, Montefiascone

The first section of the route is spectacular, walking along the ancient paving of Via Cassia, still in good condition. Then a stretch across a hill track, overlooking lovely views of  Montefiascone and Viterbo.

This way up to the start point of this section
Looking back to Montefiascone – “ over my shoulder”.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=X_FtuIrjfqc&si=kAwi1VmCSCJAS2Uc

The Roman road – The Via Cassia Antica is still in very good condition despite its 2000 years! Walk through history along these well preserved ancient Roman roads. The paving is still in very good condition thanks to the extraordinary road building skills of the ancient Romans. The ancient flagstones (basoli) are still sitting right where the Romans placed them.
Montefiascone in the distance

We fork to the left hereabouts
A welcome water fountain . We need to take plenty with us on this section.

We walk upwards for a while before descending through shade passing near a railway .

We fork to the right here and soon should see vistas of Viterbo nestled at the foot of a mountain. We follow signs, sending through flat fields to reach Parco Terme Bagnaccio and its famous hot springs. There should be a kiosk open here for refreshments.
Pilgrims have traditionally been welcomed here for centuries

Not far to Viterbo along a gravel road,passing the airport the route becomes a bleak panoply of suburban auto businesses interspersed with tall, concrete retaining walls – the entrails of the city. But not to despair as finally arrive at the Porta Florentina from whence we head straight downhill on cobblestones to the end of Via Matteoti and then the Corso Italia to reach Piazza Plebiscito

Apparently the “ gritty” entry into Viterbo can give the wrong impression of what is an otherwise charming and historic city,whose existence dates to an era long before Rome. Viterbo is the centre of the Tusca region of Etruscan culture (9th – 4th C b.c ) whose vestiges and influences are still quite visible. The city has an eventful history and a great richness of architecture which we shall have time to explore as we have a full day’s respite here.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/italy/lazio/viterbo

https://www.britannica.com/place/Viterbo-Italy

Hotel Palazzio Riario, via Della Torre,17 Viterbo
Breakfast is served.

“Nice hotel. Comfortable, clean, beautiful room in an old house. The owner of the hotel is very nice and friendly, in touch if necessary. Arrived later than the appointed time, checked in very quickly. Location in the very center of the city. Everything is within walking distance. Nearby, a couple of minutes walk, there is even a small supermarket, which is very convenient! Very happy with the choice!” RECENT REVIEW.

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