Rieti: City History, Cammino di Francesco and the Velino

If you are looking for a hotel in Rieti, you can plan your stay around three clear interests: the city’s medieval history, a multi-day hike, or activities on the Velino River. The combination that suits you depends on whether you want to spend your days mainly exploring buildings, hiking the Cammino di Francesco, or kayaking and rafting.

Historical Buildings in Rieti

Cultural attractions include the Museo Civico di Rieti. Its exhibition rooms are located in the Palazzo Comunale. Rieti Cathedral was completed and opened for worship in 1225.

Another historic building is the Church of Sant’Agostino. It dates from the mid-13th century. Its bell tower dates back to the 14th century and has four bells. The cathedral also has a 13th-century bell tower that is 37.20 metres high. If you pay attention to construction phases and individual architectural features during your city walk, these two churches offer different chronological points of reference.

Rieti’s medieval walls are also part of the city’s historic character. They date from the 13th century, are still clearly visible today, and are considered an important urban landmark. Porta Romana was the southern gate at the Roman access viaduct leading to Rieti.

The Church of San Domenico houses the Pontifical Organ Dom Bedos-Roubo.

The Cammino di Francesco as a Hiking Option

For a trip with a stronger focus on hiking, the central loop route of the Cammino di Francesco provides a clear timeframe. It is 56 kilometres long and can be completed in five days. The Cammino di Francesco also leads into medieval Rieti.

If you enjoy travelling in stages, you can make the Cammino di Francesco an independent focus of your trip. For a group with different interests, this trail can complement the historical attractions: while one part of the trip is devoted to hiking, other days remain available for buildings and city history.

Activities on the Velino River

The Velino offers a different way to experience the area around Rieti. The river is considered suitable for trying kayaking on moving water for the first time. Here, moving water means water with a current, making this experience different from a peaceful trip on a still body of water.

Rafting can be enjoyed at some points along the Velino River in Rieti. You can include the Velino in your travel plans according to the type of experience you are looking for.

Choosing the Right Focus for Your Accommodation

When choosing a hotel in Rieti, you can first decide what you want your days to focus on. For those interested in culture, there are the exhibition rooms of the Museo Civico, the cathedral, Sant’Agostino, the medieval walls, Porta Romana and the organ in San Domenico. For hikers, the Cammino di Francesco and its central loop route are a distinct option. Those who prefer water activities have two further possibilities: kayaking on moving water and rafting on the Velino.

More Destinations to Compare

If you would like to compare Rieti with other places, you can also consider Leonessa, Belmonte In Sabina and Cantalice.

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Province of Rieti.