La Foresta

The Sanctuary of La Foresta, the closest to Rieti city, is the last of the four gems of the Holy Valley on the Via di Francesco. Settled in a vineyard environment, this place is known for the miracle of the grape: tradition tells that Saint Francis, welcomed by a priest whose harvest had been destroyed, blessed what remained and the wine production of that year was miraculously abundant. Therefore, it is a place symbolizing generosity and faith in providence. But La Foresta is also a poetic inspiration site. It was here, while recovering from a serious eye illness, where Saint Francis probably composed some stanzas of "The Canticle of Creatures", his famous hymn of praise to creation. For the pilgrim, visiting this sanctuary is an experience of peace, a meeting with nature and an invitation to contemplate the beauty of the world through the eyes of the saint. It's a stop that connects faith with ecology, a perfect conclusion to the journey through the Holy Valley.