THE VIA FRANCIGENA IN THE SOUTH - da Paliano ad Acuto
The route from Paliano to Acuto unfolds along an ancient railway, now transformed into a suggestive cycling and walking path. Work is being done to make this route a section of the 'Casilina' variant of the Via Francigena del Sud. It crosses the Territory of Cesanese, an area that slopes down from the foothills of Mount Scalambra to the valley of the Sacco River. It has been cultivated for millennia with vineyards and olive groves. They compose a landscape of great beauty, painted with the colors of nature that change with each season. The route passes through the municipalities of Paliano, Serrone, Piglio and finally reaches Acuto, which constitute stages of the Path. In each stage, there is the opportunity to admire the individual villages and discover what each one holds in its historical and cultural treasures. From here, one can then descend to visit the Cesanese Wineries. The young entrepreneurs of the area showcase their vineyards and the production systems they use. Those who wish to stop for a meal or to rest, even for a few days, have no shortage of choices. The products to taste are genuine, and the dishes are those of the tradition. One can also choose to eat in some 'starred' restaurants, as some are run by prestigious chefs and are listed in the Michelin guide. One cannot leave the territory without taking some bottles of good Cesanese, a small bottle of extra virgin olive oil, and a package of chiortichiozze, a typical local biscuit. Those who do not have a bicycle can always rent one at one of the Wineries that also provide this service.
Descrizione Paliano Acuto
The origins of the path From Paliano, you set off along the ancient railway line Rome-Fiuggi-Frosinone, completed in 1917 but decommissioned in the 1970s. Today, this infrastructure has been reborn as one of the most picturesque cycling and walking paths in Lazio, immersed in nature and away from automotive traffic. Along the way, you will traverse medieval villages of extraordinary beauty, all worthy of a visit for their millennia-old history. The area retains evidence of the Hernici, the ancient Romans, and the medieval period, when these castles served as defensive bastions of the City of the Popes, Anagni. The Cesanese territory This is the heart of the production area for Cesanese del Piglio DOCG, the first DOCG wine of Lazio. The volcanic soil, steep terrain, and optimal exposure of the vines have made this land perfect for viticulture since Roman times. Along the way, you can encounter numerous wineries where you can taste this precious red wine with an intense ruby color. History and spirituality The path follows the Via Francigena of the South, the Prenestina-Casilina variant, and touches places of great spirituality. The Catacombs of San Quirico bear witness to the Christian presence since the 4th century, while numerous hermitages and sanctuaries dot the slopes of Monte Scalambra, where legend has it that St. Francis of Assisi also rested during his travels.
