At La Romita, the Convent of the Canticle – From Carsulae to La Romita di Cesi

La Romita di Cesi is one of the most evocative and authentic Franciscan convents in Umbria; it includes the church of Santa Maria Annunziata, numerous cells, a beautiful novitiate hall, a small cloister, and a grotto. It stands on a hill dominated by a majestic cedar of Lebanon, surrounded by woods, at 800 meters above sea level, without electricity or running water. It was founded by Saint Francis in 1213, who here wrote the first part of the Canticle of the Creatures, the Exhortatio ad laudem Dei.

Starting from Carsulae, take a dirt road and turn right into a splendid holm oak grove. Legend has it that at Francis’s first passage, some of these oaks bowed down until they touched the ground. Walking up through the woods, you cross the Path of the Franciscan Protomartyrs and continue to the left. The trail becomes more rugged, passing through some rock formations until you reach an imposing dry stone wall and the convent gate. The building was confiscated by the Kingdom of Italy and fell into abandonment until the 1990s, when Brother Bernardino Greco, together with many volunteers, restored it through years of hard work, making it a landmark for the entire area. After his death in June 2022, La Romita is cared for by people who handle hospitality. It is recommended to announce your visit by phone (0744-283006), or by calling from the gate. For the return, you can continue along the dirt road past the convent and descend via the Path of the Franciscan Protomartyrs.

The trailhead can be easily reached from the north, via the SS 3 Bis (E45) exit at Montecastrilli, then in the direction of Cesi-Terni on the Carsulana provincial road. The car can be left in the parking lot of the Carsulae archaeological area. From the south, you can exit the RATO (Terni-Orte highway connector) at the Terni Nord junction and continue along the provincial road toward Cesi, then to the parking lot of the Carsulae archaeological area.