DAY XIII ON THE CAMINO FRANCIGENA Saturday,21st June 2025 PREVIEW OF VETRALLA to SUTRI,24 KM

11 May
Street market, Vetralla

BRIEF SUMMARY – FROM THE VIA FRANCIGENA WEBSITE

FLeaving Vetralla, we travel a beautiful stretch in a thick forest, before arriving at the little church of the Madonna di Loreto.  From here we cross an immense hazelnut grove and skirt some monumental oaks, before arriving at the Torri d’Orlando, ruins of an ancient monastery. 
We continue towards the delightful village of Capranica, and then towards Sutri, a little-known pearl along the Francigena, with its Amphitheatre dug into the tuff, the Mithraeum and the beautiful historic centre. 
Water and refreshment points only in Capranica.

It’s a long stretch to Capranica so we shall need plenty of water and snacks. Capranica is described as a “ delightful “ place .

The first stage of today’s walk will take us through leafy green forests

After the Bosco Monteofogliano Park, via the village of Giardino, there is a lovel trail for the next 4 KM, under trees, interrupted only by only a meadow and a brief walk across a roundabout . We need to look for a right fork that goes downhill that emerges into an orchard. We then cross the Via Cassia and after a further 1.5 KM arrive at the Orlando Towers
Legend says that these three towers were built by Orlando ( Italian for Roland ),a favourite general of Charlemagne and subject of the epic 11th C. poem” The Song of Roland”. In fact,historians suggest two of the towers are funeral monuments from the Roman period and the other the remains of a bell tower from the 10th c.

Roland’s words before death:
“Here must we stand to serve on the King’s side. Men for their lords great hardship must abide, Fierce heat and cold endure in every clime, Lost for his sake, if need be, skin and hide.”. 

After a further walk through hazelnut orchards, we cross-cross railway tracks, traverse a modest creek by a bridge until we come to Capranica.

City gates
Clock tower – Capranica is situated on the top of a ridge and consists of a long cobbled road with little side streets and the Church of San Pietro in the middle.

https://www.summerinitaly.com/guide/capranica

After a lunch stop and refreshed we continue towards Sutri, ( if not, then a bus or taxi ride to Sutri )

Fosso Mazzano stream alongside a shady path for 2 KM
Foot Bath anyone?
There is soon a choice to visit the Etruscan Archeological Park , one of the finest Etruscan sites in Italy, or head up the hill to Sutri.
SUTRI – as charming a place as any on the Francigena but with a history far older than most . The medieval town is clustered atop the ridge of tufa stone.

https://miasardegna.eu/en/italy/sutri.html Sutri: An Etruscan Gem at the Gates of Rome

B&B Notti d’Oriente – Our accommodation for this evening on the via garibaldi 51, 01015 Sutri, in the centre of the old town.

“I stayed here for one night whilst walking the Via Francigena, but I would happily have stayed longer. My room was well-equipped with kettle, dining table and a good bathroom, and there was access to a shared kitchen. The lovely lady who greeted me was very kind and helpful, and Sutri is a pretty little town. Recommended.”

Bar Salza, nearby is recommended for APERITIVOS in the Piazza Camilo, nearby. Also, Jin To EnoGintoneri, a minute away.

One Response to “DAY XIII ON THE CAMINO FRANCIGENA Saturday,21st June 2025 PREVIEW OF VETRALLA to SUTRI,24 KM”

  1. slodown's avatar
    slodown 11/05/2025 at 07:08 #

    Thanks for this 🕊️

    Reply

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