“Leaving Campagnano you can adimire the enchanting views of Latium countryside, before coming at Veio Park, where you flank the Church of Madonna del Sorbo. Cross the inhabited area of Formello, where there is a wonderful hostel in the historical Palazzo Chigi, in order to undertake a long track later till Isola Farnese and La Storta. Bar and water in Formello and Isola Farnese.”
We leave Campagnano via the Porta Romana gates ,heading slightly uphill ,following signs to the Santuario de Sorbo, then entering Parco Veio
“There is a legend that tells the tale of the founding of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sorbo. It runs thus: There was a young man of Formello who kept his pigs on the grazing land in the Valley of the Sorbo. One day he noticed a sow run off alone and return and hour later. Having watched the animal repeat this for several days in succession his curiosity was aroused and he decided to follow it.
The sow climbed the hill to the Sorbo tree where it sat on it’s haunches raising it’s forelegs as if in prayer, and gazed fixedly at the icon of the Virgin and Child nailed to the tree. The Madonna spoke to the swine herd telling him to run to Formello and tell of the apparition saying that, should they not believe him, she would perform a miracle. So it was that when no one believed him, the swine herd thrust his mutilated arm into his pocket and drew it out complete with hand. Thus convinced the people of Formello carried out the Virgin’s wish and built a sanctuary at the site of the apparition. They kept the Sorbo tree with the icon of the Madonna that had spoken to the swine herd, as it stood, building the church round it. The new church became a place of pilgrimage.”
With nearly 15,000 hectares, the Veio Regional Natural Park extends north of Rome between the Via Flaminia and Via Cassia and includes the so-called Agro Veientano. It is the fourth largest park in Lazio and covers an area of natural, historical and cultural interest. It includes the municipalities of Campagnano di Roma, Castelnuovo di Porto, Formello, Magliano Romano, Mazzano Romano, Morlupo, Riano, Sacrofano and the 15th Municipality of the Province of Rome. The network of trails is signposted by the CAI and covers 99 kilometres, including the Via Francigena.
A medieval town a few kilometres from Rome, in the heart of the Veientano countryside: Formello, crossed by the Via Francigena, is rich in history and immersed in a splendid natural landscape.
Starting from the Piazza named after Donato Palmieri, local painter and pupil of Vasari, who painted the frescoes in the church of San Lorenzo, we pass through the ‘Porta da Capo’ dating back to the Chigi era.
From here begins Via XX Settembre, the main road through the town and along which the main buildings are located.
On the 15th-century Piazza San Lorenzo are Palazzo Chigi, the Church of San Lorenzo and its Oratory of the Nativity, and the Council Building; continuing on we come to the Church of San Michele Arcangelo and then to the other monumental entrance to the town, the ‘Porta da Piedi’.
After refreshments we depart along the central street as it descends among old stone and stucco homes,reaching the valley floor where we reenter the Parco Veio. The road becomes a path through Alfalfa and Bamboo trees, then heading up past a sports complex. After crossing a bridge look carefully for a poorly marked left turn onto a gravel road. Shortly we come to a Veio shortcut option ( 1.8 KM ) offering a shorter route to Isola Farnese, bringing us alongside Etruscan archaeological sites and an ancient mill.
The centre of modern Isola Farnese is a non descript ,disappointing commercial cluster where the Via Cassia meets the Via dell’Isola Farnese. Medieval Isola, easily missed by walkers, is a cluster of buildings around the castle ( now a wedding venue ).
Although La Storta is the official ending of this stage our accommodation is RESORT LA ROCCHETTA in La Guistiniana.
“A 3-star hotel in Rome in the La Giustiniana area, the
Resort La Rocchetta is immersed in the greenery of a residential neighborhood, within the
Veio Regional Natural Park – crossed by the last stretch of the
VIA FRANCIGENA -, a few meters from
Via Cassia , close to the main communication routes and the gates of Rome.
Converted from an old farmhouse and immersed in the greenery of a lush garden, the Resort La Rocchetta is an oasis of peace with large outdoor spaces, convenient parking and a generous buffet breakfast service. “ We stayed one night during our Francigena pilgrimage
“We stayed one night during our Francigena pilgrimage.Beautiful building. Clean rooms. Friendly and helpful staff.” RECENT REVIEW April,2025
Restaurant Antica Osteria Da Pietro has good reviews – 11 minute walk.
ensuitepilgrim's Blog 
👍🏼 Great photos and descriptions! Muchas gracias hombre