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The Valloni di Capranica: where the Via Francigena crosses the Gorges of Tuscia
The Monumento Naturale Valloni along the Via Francigena, in the municipality of Capranica in the Province of Viterbo, oversees the protection of 104 hectares of wooded gorges carved by water into volcanic tufa. The area was established in 2017, and is crossed by the ancient pilgrim route to Rome. Two parallel ravines are lined with willows and poplars on the valley floor, Turkey oaks and downy oaks on the slopes, and holm oaks along the ridges.
A landscape shaped by the Vicano volcano
The terrain is typical of the Monti Cimini: volcanic deposits cut by torrents into narrow, steep gorges, vegetation varying according to altitude. On the Monte di San Terenzio (St Terence Mount) — named after the patron saint of Capranica — a stand of tall holm oaks is worth a detour in itself. It is one of the best-preserved habitats in the area.
Churches for pilgrims and towers that speak of Orlando
Along the route are three small churches built for travellers heading to Rome: San Terenziano (St Terentian, 16th century), San Rocco (St Roch, 17th century) and Madonna delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace, 14th century). A little further on, in the locality of Vico Matrino, the Torri d'Orlando (Towers of Orlando) rise above the hazel groves: two Roman funerary monuments from the 1st century BC, up to 16 m tall, and there is a medieval bell tower, all that remains of the abbey of Santa Maria in Campis.
