Santuario della Foresta

The Santuario della Foresta stands 3.5 kilometers from Rieti, surrounded by chestnut and oak forests with the Acqua Marina stream flowing through the valley.

In 1225, Saint Francis stayed at this sanctuary for medical treatment of his eyes, following an invitation from Cardinal Ugolino, who later became Pope Gregory IX.

The sanctuary houses valuable 15th-century frescoes, an original altar, and a 17th-century statuette of Madonna Bambina alongside modern stained glass windows.

Visitors can take guided tours between 8:30-12:00 and 14:00-18:30, with Sunday Mass and holiday services scheduled at 10:30.

A marble monument by Lorenzo Ferri outside depicts Saint Francis with raised hands, commemorating his composition of portions of Cantico delle Creature at this location.

Location: Rieti

Address: Via Foresta, 30 - 02100 Rieti RI 02100 02100

GPS coordinates: 42.43657,12.87456

Latest update: March 13, 2025 10:13