Nelson Mandela - Subiaco

The Mandela to Subiaco stage is the longest of the entire Cammino di San Benedetto, a 30.4 km marathon that culminates at one of the most sacred sites in Western monasticism. The path begins at Mandela (487 m) and follows an undulating profile with a gentle overall descent towards Subiaco (410 m). The route traverses a beautiful landscape, partly following the course of the River Aniene. It is an demanding walk due to its length, requiring good physical and mental preparation. Arrival in Subiaco is a moment of great emotion. This city, nestled in a narrow valley, is where St Benedict lived as a hermit and founded his first twelve monasteries. A visit to the Sacro Speco Monastery, built in the cave where the saint lived, and the Santa Scolastica Monastery, the oldest of the Benedictine order, is an unforgettable spiritual experience. It is an stage that, despite its difficulty, rewards the pilgrim many times over, offering a total immersion into the origins of one of Europe's most important spiritual currents.