La Storta: Roman Post Station and Pilgrimage History

La Storta combines the history of a Roman post station with accounts of pilgrimages to Rome. Two additional perspectives can also help you plan your trip: stages that end in La Storta and Isola Farnese, two kilometres away, with its medieval character. This lets you consider historical interests and practical route requirements separately.

La Storta as a Waypoint and Pilgrimage Site

La Storta was founded as a post station during the Roman Empire. Travellers and messengers could rest there while horses were changed. A town developed from the station at the ninth mile of the Via Cassia-Clodia. Around the year 1000, Abbot Sigeric mentioned La Storta in his account of a pilgrimage to Rome along the Via Francigena. The town’s history thus brings together two distinct roles: a practical resting point for Roman travellers and a place mentioned in an account of a pilgrimage.

In the Middle Ages, La Storta acquired the nickname “Malpasso” because of increasing banditry and feuds. Later, the name La Storta may have derived from the bend and fork in the Via Cassia at this location. This etymology is uncertain. The medieval nickname and the possible explanation of the town’s name therefore belong to different periods.

Stages: The Via Francigena and Route Profile

The 44th stage of the Via Francigena runs from Campagnano to La Storta. The 45th stage leads from Campagnano di Roma to La Storta and can be travelled on foot or by bicycle. It is 25 km long and rated E – Hiking. It involves 489 metres of ascent and 611 metres of descent.

These are different points of reference for planning your stages: the 44th stage is part of the Via Francigena; for the 45th, you can also take the mode of transport, distance and elevation gain into account. Check trail conditions before setting out, especially if you plan to walk or cycle the 45th stage.

Isola Farnese and the Veii Area

Two kilometres from La Storta lies Isola Farnese, a village with a medieval character, a castle, walls and defensive towers. These structures offer a different focus from La Storta’s Roman postal and pilgrimage history. Near Isola Farnese, the archaeological area of the ancient Etruscan city of Veii, including the Portonaccio sanctuary, is open to visitors. The castle, walls and defensive towers shape the village’s medieval character, while Veii turns the focus to Etruscan antiquity.

Take the FL3 Roma–Cesano railway line from Roma Valle Aurelia or Roma Ostiense to La Storta-Formello station, then walk 1.5 km to Isola Farnese. Check train services before travelling and factor the walk into your plans.

Choose Your Stay Based on Your Interests

Are you mainly interested in the Roman post station and Sigeric’s pilgrimage account, or do you want stages and route planning to shape your trip? Isola Farnese adds a castle, walls, defensive towers and the accessible Veii area to the options. Decide what interests you and then compare hotel offers according to your individual requirements.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Palombara Sabina, Frascati, Osteria Nuova, Fregene, Ariccia, San Gregorio Da Sassola, Marino, Castel Gandolfo.

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