Wednesday 10 October 2018

OCTOBER 2018 : ITALY : VIA DI FRANCESCO : DAY 15 : Tenuta di Biscina - Valfabbrica - 15.9kms - 4 hours


Today was an easy walk mainly on a wide tractor track and some quiet minor roads. There were a few challenging sections on sticky clay but all in all a pleasant walk. We took the guidebook’s advice and avoided a HARD steep 4 kms section by staying on a minor road and meeting up with the main route after the dam construction. Cloudy and mild.


Breakfast at Tenuta di Biscina. Beautiful views from our apartment.


Fruit trees around the property.




We set off down the valley about 8.45am on a wide tractor track for several kms.


Few tricky sections








After 7kms we came to a concrete bridge



Lots of noise echoing throughout the valley with the construction of a new dam.



We stayed on quite soft tracks winding through small hamlets and this Benedictine chapel.


Until we came to the Chiascio Bridge at the entry to our destination today, Valfabbrica.


A walk up a hill and our first impressions.. a service town



With some medieval buildings


Our accommodation was close by.


We had our lunch in the friendly restaurant. And dinner..Mark had beef and truffles and I had slices of beef with Gorgonzola and Pesto.


Our room with ensuite is in an adjoining building- an incredible €30 a double room.With large, clean ensuite.  Without exception, all of the hotel and B&B facilities over the past fortnight have been spotless.






Valfabbrica was founded around the Monastery of Santa Maria. St Francis sought refuge here after being beaten by bandits. 


According to the guidebook, the most significant site is the 12th century church of Pieve Santa Maria with its frescoes, unfortunately closed.


Nearby in the small medieval quarter was the church of San Sebastián, also closed.


And next door the colourful Via di Francesco pilgrims’ hostel


We reflected on how far we’ve come and how far to go! Approximately half way between Firenze and Roma.We’ve travelled approximately 264kms.


M&M

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