Posta: Churches, Roman Traces and the Cammino di Francesco

Posta reveals itself through several historical layers: the settlement began to take shape in 1298 around the pre-existing Convento di San Francesco. Churches, the remains of Castello di Machilone and evidence of Roman roads each tell of different periods. This gives you a clear thread for planning your trip: you can focus on local history, a stage of the Cammino di Francesco or the archaeological traces of the Antica Via Salaria.

Churches and traces of local history

The Chiesa di Santa Rufina is considered the oldest church in Posta; it stands on the road towards Bacugno. The Chiesa di Sant'Antonio was initially built in the 14th century as a church dedicated to Saint Augustine. It was attached to a convent for Augustinian nuns who venerated Saint Mary Magdalene. The Chiesa di San Felice dates back to 1300. Together, these churches represent different historical reference points and periods of construction.

The Porta della Gabella is also associated with a specific date: its fresco dates from 1572. The timeline therefore spans from the settlement's beginnings to a dated work of art. The churches and the fresco each offer a distinct connection to local history, rather than placing just one building at the center.

Roman roads and the Cammino di Francesco

The Cammino di Francesco in the Valle Santa covers 80 kilometres and is divided into eight stages. The ancient village of Posta is one of them. The town is therefore part of a longer route, whose overall distance and division into stages offer a different travel perspective from local history alone.

The archaeological route of the Antica Via Salaria offers another perspective. It follows Roman remains through the Gole del Velino and continues to Posta along a path lined with stones, walls, clearly visible stretches of road and cuttings. There, large rectangular stones can be seen marking the edges of the road. Il Miglio adds to this view of Roman times: the unusually large milestone marked the halfway point of the entire route between Rome and Ascoli.

To understand the Antica Via Salaria, it is not just individual remains that matter, but also the course of the route and its visible features as a road. This distinguishes the archaeological focus from the churches and their building histories.

Landscape and castle remains

In the area around Posta, Valle Scura is considered a gorge with a distinctive environment and biological diversity. It adds a distinct landscape dimension to the cultural and historical themes.

The remains of Castello di Machilone are considered a historical site in Posta worth visiting. Today, only a few walls are visible, barely protruding from the ground; most of the complex lies underground. Any account of the castle must therefore take in both the few visible wall remains and the extent of the underground structure.

The feast day in Bacugno

Every year on 5 August, celebrations in honour of S. Maria della Neve are held in Bacugno di Posta. The tradition includes sweet ciammelletti, made by local women. At the end of the celebrations, they are thrown from the church wall into the crowd in the church square. Their preparation, timing and distribution are all part of the same celebration.

If you want to plan your trip around this feast, 5 August is the specific date of the annual celebrations. Alongside the historical sites and routes, a recurring event with a clearly specified date offers another reason to visit.

Choosing a focus for your trip

When looking for a hotel in Posta, you can start by considering what will shape your trip: local history, Roman traces, the Cammino di Francesco or the feast day in Bacugno. These focuses differ considerably—from historical landmarks and a route divided into stages to an annual event—and give your plans a clear direction.

Discover more destinations: Madonna del Mattone, Scandriglia, Piedicolle, Ornaro, Leonessa, Magliano Sabina, Casali, Orvinio

See the wider travel guide: Rieti.