Greccio

A small village located in the province of Rieti, Greccio offers visitors a range of natural beauty and a very intense artistic and cultural heritage. It is a very particular place, so much so that it was able to kidnap even the heart of St. Francis of Assisi, who decided to found a sanctuary right here, which became famous because it was there that the first crib saw the light.

In addition to its deep religious significance, Greccio can be considered a real pearl. Here, traditions and popular folklore mix together, taking a step back in time and bringing back to light ancient flavours.
The first thing that will strike visitors who come to Greccio is undoubtedly the uncontaminated nature that surrounds the village, formed by so much greenery and fascinating paths that wind through the woods.

Besides the Sanctuary of San Francesco, in Greccio there are numerous testimonies of a glorious past, made visible by the majestic castle. However, the origins of the village are even more ancient. Its name, in fact, according to tradition, is linked to the arrival of a Greek colony. According to the legend, people fleeing from war, hunger and destruction, found in Greccio the ideal place to settle, between the tranquillity of the landscape and the strategic position that facilitated the defence.

During the Middle Ages the village was fortified, so much so that even today it still has that traditional charm, despite the plundering and destruction that struck it from Frederick II to the Napoleonic army. In spite of this, in the castle still remains a part of the ancient floor and the three towers remember the ancient use of the structure as a fortress. From the 17th century the highest tower was transformed into a bell tower, since it is adjacent to the Church of San Michele Arcangelo.
The structure, dating back to the 14th century, was obtained from a part of the old castle. Over the centuries it was destroyed and rebuilt several times but still today inside it there are still several frescoes and works of art dating back to the 15th and 17th centuries.

For trekking lovers, Greccio offers numerous itineraries that wind through the paths that surround the village. The Saint Francis Walk retraces the steps of the monk between the plain of the Vale Santa in an evocative setting made up of gentle hills interspersed with harsher mountainous reliefs. The walk towards Fonte Lupetta is as evocative as it is fascinating and allows you to reach the ancient water source to which the legend of the wolf mated by Saint Francis is linked. This water, moreover, seems to have fantastic beneficial and diuretic properties.

Absolutely not to be missed is the Nativity Museum, also known as the Nativity Museum, located in the church of Santa Maria. Inside you can admire nativity scenes from different cultures. The space is open every day and can be visited by purchasing a ticket.

During the Christmas period, Greccio hosts a delicious Christmas market and especially the ancient art of the crib. Visiting it offers the opportunity to get in touch with local craftsmen and relive traditions of the past with the crib, symbol of Greccio, as protagonist. Not to be missed every year just after Christmas, the representation of the Living Nativity scene.

The gastronomic tradition of Greccio is based on simple and genuine ingredients, with dishes rich in taste.
In autumn the pumpkin is the absolute protagonist for sweet dishes such as cakes and biscuits and for excellent velvety dishes accompanied by homemade toasted bread and pecorino cheese. Winter is the time for warm and full-bodied dishes such as soups prepared with local mushrooms and vegetables or homemade pasta stuffed with meat. In spring, Greccio's cuisine becomes an explosion of colour with fresh seasonal vegetables, served steamed or used to prepare delicate velvety dishes such as carrots and artichokes. Finally, summer is the season of panzanella made with fresh tomatoes and basil, to be eaten as a single dish or as a tasty aperitif.

BY CAR

• From the north, take the A1 to the Orte exit and from there towards Terni or take the E45 (Perugia / Cesena) to Terni. Continue on the Terni / Orte ring road and exit at Terni Est towards Rieti. Continue on the Terni / Rieti ring road and exit at Greccio.
• From the south, take the A1 and exit at Roma Nord. Continue to Fiano Romano and then take the Salaria towards Rieti. Once in Rieti, take the junction for Terni and exit at Greccio.

ON THE TRAIN

• Rieti station
• Terni station

BY PLANE

• Rome Ciampino Airport
• Perugia airport
• Rome Fiumicino Airport

The territory presents elements of interest of landscape-panoramic, botanical and hydrological type. Fascinating is the network of paths on the territory and immersed in an uncontaminated nature.
Paths dedicated to those who wish to live a different experience in the woods of Greccio: a simple adventure, trekking, or a pilgrimage where the same poor man of Assisi loved to spend moments of meditation immersed in the mystery of creation.

Among the Naturalistic-Religious Paths: "From Greccio to the Cappelletta", the ancient path that develops in a unique panoramic scenery; the path that led Giovanni Velita, feudatory of Greccio and friend of Francis, to the 1.205 m asl of the Cappelletta, the first refuge of the Saint in the territory, at the time when he decided to settle in Greccio: "There, he built a miserable hut of shrubs, between two thick hornbeams, to preserve him from winter weather and summer heat".

The building currently present on the site was built in 1712 by Pope Clement XI in memory of the Saint and, over the years, has been the subject of subsequent enlargements and consolidation interventions.
The place is undoubtedly enchanting and discovers a 360 degree panoramic view that allows you to dominate both the entire Valle Santa Reatina then all the Franciscan places in it (Poggio Bustone, La Foresta, Fonte Colombo and the same Sanctuary of Greccio), both the Sabine land to the west up to even see, in conditions of particular clarity, the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.