Rieti: Nature, Franciscan Routes and Culture

In Rieti, seasonal nature watching meets routes connected with Saint Francis of Assisi and historic collections. The Laghi Lungo e Ripasottile Nature Reserve is particularly suited to birdwatching in winter and during migration. There are also outings to lakes, an urban trekking route, and cultural sites that cater to different interests.

Nature and lakes around Rieti

Timing is especially important for birdwatching: at the Laghi Lungo e Ripasottile Nature Reserve, winter and the migration period are the highlights. Mount Terminillo, a renowned ski resort, offers a different experience. A cable car there takes you to the summit. Check the cable car’s operating schedule for your visit date.

Lake Salto is the largest artificial lake in Lazio. You can drive or cycle on a road around Lake Salto; it passes through oak and chestnut forests and over narrow bridges. Canoe rental and wakeboarding are offered at the equipped beaches of Fiumata and Borgo San Pietro. If you plan to take part in either activity, check availability in advance.

Lake Turano also offers its own starting point for outings: from there, excursions lead into the surrounding mountains and to the Monte Navegna e Cervia Nature Reserve. The part of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park located in Lazio lies mainly in the province of Rieti. These regional connections add another perspective on the landscape alongside its lakes and protected areas.

Routes with different destinations

The routes of the Cammino di San Francesco begin in the city of Rieti. The trail is marked with white and red blazes and yellow Tau signs. The Rieti–Fonte Colombo–Greccio route has a specific starting point: it begins next to Santa Maria Cathedral on Via Cintia, by the statue of Saint Francis. The route reaches the Sanctuary of Fonte Colombo after about an hour on foot. San Pastore Abbey can also be visited as a stop along the way.

A more challenging version of the Cammino di San Francesco leads to the Votive Temple of Pian Dè Valli at Terminillo. In the city, the Urban Trekking route offers a different kind of activity: the loop is five kilometers long and takes three hours. These details allow you to compare travel times concretely—from the roughly one-hour walk to the sanctuary to the three-hour loop in Rieti—without conflating the routes.

Museums, theaters and history

The Museo Civico di Rieti is located in the historic city center and is divided into two sections. Its archaeological section displays numerous artifacts from Rieti and the Sabine region, dating from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. In the “Life, Death, Religion” room, the museum preserves objects for everyday and religious use from the Iron Age and the Etruscan and Hellenistic periods. You can explore the collection both through its broad span of time and through specific aspects of life at the time.

The Flavio Vespasiano Theater was inaugurated on September 20, 1893, with performances of Pietro Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Gounod’s “Faust.” It is named after Emperor Flavius Vespasian, who came from the Sabine region. Its layout follows that of a classic Italian theater: two audience sections, three tiers, and a gallery form its architectural structure. The opening date and the program at the time give the building a clear historical connection; its named components also offer a concrete look at theater architecture.

The Paroniana City Library has around 140,000 old and modern volumes. These include editions from the 16th century, codices, and incunabula. Its local history section collects documents on the history of the city of Rieti and the development of its surrounding area. At Fonte Colombo, another cultural site is connected with the history of the Franciscan route: the sanctuary includes the Sacred Grotto and the Chapel of Saint Michael. Saint Francis of Assisi came to Fonte Colombo in the summer of 1223 to write the third and final Rule of the Order.

Rafting in Rieti

A rafting trip ends in the center of Rieti near the Roman bridge. As routes may vary by operator, check the specific course of your outing in advance. This gives you a clear arrival point to navigate to, while details of the individual trip are best confirmed with the operator.

Discover more destinations

Torri In Sabina, Misericordia, Colli Sul Velino, Labro, Montasola, Monteleone Sabino, Montopoli Di Sabina, Passo Corese, Poggio Catino, Fara In Sabina, Greccio, Poggio Mirteto, Poggio Sommavilla, Talocci, Tarano, Torricella In Sabina, Varco Sabino, Magliano Sabina, Poggio Nativo, Salisano, Stimigliano, Cantalupo In Sabina, Rieti, Casperia, Santa Rufina, Montenero Sabino, Apoleggia, Longone Sabino, Madonna del Mattone, Limiti Di Greccio, Borgo Velino, Rocca Sinibalda, Castel di Tora, Poggio Bustone, Toffia, Cottanello, Leonessa, Montebuono, Castel San Pietro, Casaprota, Poggio San Lorenzo, Monte San Giovanni In Sabina, Contigliano, Belmonte In Sabina, Scandriglia, Gavignano Sabino, Forano, Cantalice, Canneto, Roccantica, Cittareale, Amatrice, Cittaducale, Posta, Selci, Accumoli, Fiumata, Orvinio, Casali, Vacone, Colle Di Tora, Micigliano, Pescorocchiano, Nespolo, San Polo, Castelnuovo Di Farfa, Santa Maria, Antrodoco, Piedicolle, Roccaranieri, Ornaro, Piano, San Giovanni Reatino, Configni, Grotti, Pian De' Valli, Poggio Vittiano, Sellecchia, Collegiove, Poggio Moiano

For the broader travel overview: Lazio.