Abbazia San Petro in Valle

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Day three - May 27, Wednesday; Ferentillo Terni, Abbazia San Petro in Valle

You start the day with a transfer to the holy mountain of Monteluco and the scenic Porelle pass. From here, you head through deep woods to ascend to another panoramic pass where you join a medieval stone footpath. This beautiful trail, passing through an abandoned hamlet and a quaint village, winds uphill for more sweeping views. Weaving in and out of woodlands, you finish the hike with a steep descent from the Forca pass to the Abbazia di San Pietro. (17 km)

The next days hike stated there was to be a very steep descent at the end of it. Both Anna and I decided to ride with the luggage to avoid that part. We first rode up a winding road to deliver Carla, Don, Jeff and John to their taking off point which was on the holy mountain of Monteluco and the scenic Porelle pass. Anna and I arrived at our next days hotel which was the Abbazia San Petro in Valle outside of Terni. Anna and I were the only people that were non-workers and we got to enjoy their garden all to ouselves. She and I sat on the grounds and we each did a drawing of the Abbey which was very relaxing as well as something that gave my brain some fun. My drawing came out pretty good I believe. Later we asked the front desk and they unlocked the door to the old church that was also on the grounds. The front desk person said, please close the door and lock it when you're finished and then she left us to walk through at our leisure. Inside the building was filled with scaffolding which reached to the ceiling and all outside walls. We were able to walk behind the altar and view the very impressive frescoes covering most of the walls as well as the dome above the altar. Being allowed to discover as we wished felt like we'd been given a very personal and private gift which was a great honor bestowed upon us.

After viewing the church we decided to take a walk up the trail the others would be coming down and perhaps be able to meet them. We took off not knowing the trail since we didn’t have the directions but headed in the most likely direction. We soon came to a barbed wire gate that crossed the road. I knew I could undo the fence but it was very tight and I didn’t think I could string it back up again and so we turned back around. We found a different route and began our own hike up an old road. It soon began climbing into the trees. It was still very hot and we weren’t sure we were on the right trail and so after a couple of miles, we turned back around and returned to the Abbey. We decided to get cleaned up and soon afterwards the rest of the group returned after their hike. They were hot and tired and they each managed to score some cold beer which they greatly enjoyed. They said that the descent was quite steep and at one point Carla needed to tape her toes as they had been crammed in her shoes as she walked down the mountain and were becoming quite painful. It was at this point that I knew I was glad that I hadn’t gone on the hike as the day before my feet were also sliding forward in my shoes and had I gone my toes too would be in great pain. For the rest of the trip, Carla had very sore toes. I however did not.

That evening we enjoyed drinking wine in the garden with yet another incredible view all around us. It appeared there were hardly any other people staying in the Abbey or at least we hardly saw any other people. This was another night that our dinner was included and so we walked outside the Abbey and around the corner to the Ristorante for our dinner. Before long, there was a great commotion just up the road from where we were seated on the outside terrace. Two Italian gentlemen were shouting and waving as one of their cows was on the loose. Carla walked up the road to get a picture. Just as she got up there the cow rounded the corner and the two of them had a stare down. Cow eventually turned and went into the field, Carla stood her ground. Dinner was to become one of our favorites of the trip. We had steamed Chicory which was eaten but not truly appreciated by all. It was nice to finally have something green on our plates as the Italians really don’t do vegetables very often. Meat and pasta, their main staples, that’s what they like. Our entree was three cuts of meat, a sausage, lamb chop and a slice of beef, all prepared quite deliciously. Soon after dinner, we all went to bed as we had yet another big day of hiking the next day. Just as we got into our beds to settle in, I was going to read a book for the first time. I got about two sentences read when a huge thunderstorm rolled in and kicked out the electricity. The rain pounded down and the thunder boomed quite loudly all around us. We had our window open and I loved the sound of the pouring rain and quite close thunder. After being so hot for a couple of days, the rain felt quite splendid. I fell asleep listening to the rain storm.

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Comments

[Michelle]

Abbazia San Petro in Valle
What an amazing place. I was lucky enough to stay there in 2001 for 10 days for an art class. It's beauty looks unchanged!!! What a life altering trip.

[robinlnu]

I have dabbled in painting watercolors and was kicking myself for not having my paints with me. The place is absolutely gorgeous and so peaceful. I did do a drawing but my paints, good pencil and good paper were sorely missed.