Taken in the Museum,yesterday,with a couple more taken last night Appreciate the message on the bag.No it’s not a cake! It was my dinner in a tiny restaurant near the hotel. It was young heifer with tuna sauce and caper berries – the red cabbage was a treat,too.Leaving Viterbo – Some noble fountains here
We made our way down past the cathedral to the start and before very long we were walking along a very interesting stretch of Highway.
The Vie Cave, or “excavated roads,” are a network of ancient paths carved into the soft, volcanic rock (tuff) of the Maremma region in southern Italy. While not directly in Viterbo, they are nearby and easily accessible, and the area around Viterbo is known for its similar tuff formations and Etruscan history. These roads, likely of Etruscan origin, served multiple purposes, including transportation, defense, and possibly even religious rituals. Quite narrow at the top at times but providing good shade. History and Purpose: Etruscan Origins: The Vie Cave are primarily attributed to the Etruscans, an ancient civilization that thrived in central Italy before the rise of Rome. Transportation: The roads likely served as vital pathways connecting settlements, necropolises (cemeteries), and agricultural areas. Defense: Some theories suggest the deep, narrow trenches offered protection against invaders, acting as natural fortifications. Water Management: The intricate system of trenches may have also helped manage rainwater runoff, channeling water away from settlements. Religious Significance: Some scholars propose that the Vie Cave held spiritual or ritualistic importance, with evidence of sacred symbols and niches found along the paths. Re-use: The Etruscan-built roads were later used and modified by the Romans, medieval populations, and even in more recent times. Not the most photogenic walk thus far ,but we had a break at this picnic bench – rare but always welcome.Already in the high twenties Lazio – the soil a different hue; with some hills to view.Irrigation methods on a grand scale.A Hazelnut plantation.The increasingly numerous Olive grovesAfter a short, stiff climb we came upon a viewpoint looking towards the West and the Med. apparently.Butterfly having a breakI really like this form of naive artwork – it reminded me of a visit to the Museum of Naive Art in Zagreb,Croatia.Rough rather than naive..Last views before descent into rows of Olive groves as we neared Vetrella .This little spot by a gateway offered a “timbro“ – a stamp for your pilgrim passportThere was also a notebook inviting you to offer your thoughts on the Via Francigena.Fruit trees of some description made a change from the olives .A wine store on the last leg ( and ours ) of today’s trail.After 11.26 miles we were relieved to be there – it’s not so much the distances or the terrain – it’s the heat …33* @ 14.00.Our digs for tonight A very relaxing space – the garden – bright, refurbished rooms, too. The first real rain we have experienced started at 17.00 – some thunder – finishing by 19.00. Forecast for the remainder of the week is in the 30s
We had an enjoyable evening at a local bar then restaurant.
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