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Stage along the route via Sansepolcro
Amid beautiful mountain landscapes and the fairy-tale forests that surround the small village of Montagna, the journey leads to another of the main sites of Franciscan spirituality, the Montecasale Convent.
Surrounded by unspoiled surroundings, it was built on the ruins of an ancient military fortress; the Camaldolese Order later transformed it into a hospital for pilgrims. In 1213, it was donated to Saint Francis and the Franciscan friars, who remained there until 1268. Infused with a mystical aura, there are several places within the convent that hold particular significance for the saint. Among them is the spring dedicated to him, which, according to a miraculous event, is said to have originated by Saint Francis himself, and the Sasso Spicco, a striking overhanging rock from which a waterfall forms. Popular tradition claims that, in competition with a nightingale, he used to sing praises to God there.
Passing by the prehistoric site known as Gorgo del Ciliegio, where the Afra stream creates a picturesque view, the route reaches Sansepolcro. An ancient village, its walls enclose historic buildings of particular value, as well as the works of Piero della Francesca, who was born here, and sacred buildings like the Church of San Francesco, dedicated to the Franciscan cult. The village also preserves artisanal traditions related to textiles and tailoring, with the famous lace-making craftsmanship being an internationally renowned highlight. Culinary traditions, ranging from classic Tuscan flavors to famous food companies, such as the Buitoni factory, which began in a small workshop here in the early 1800s, also make the area notable.
