Itinerary
Across the Marche region, in the footsteps of the Capuchins.
A journey among ancient convents and hidden hermitages, where history intertwines with the beauty of nature and the pilgrim’s experience is enriched by the genuine hospitality of the local people.
First part
from Fossombrone to Camerino
217.5 km in 10 stages
The journey begins at the Colle dei Santi di Fossombrone, where the Capuchin convent is located. The friars there celebrate Holy Mass at 7:30 AM and afterwards, they provide the credential and the journey’s pendant, and give the pilgrim a blessing under the large cross overlooking the Metauro valley. The first stage leads to the enchanting Gola del Furlo, where the Candigliano River carves its way through imposing rock walls.
From the Gola del Furlo, the second stage reaches the historic city of Cagli, where you can visit the historic Capuchin convent, one of the few to have preserved its original architecture. In that area, moreover, Brother Ludovico da Fossombrone, the main promoter of the Capuchin reform, found refuge at the end of his life.
The third stage continues from Cagli towards Frontone, arriving at the ancient Monastery of Fonte Avellana. The next stage passes under the horn of Monte Catria, crosses Isola Fossara and reaches the delightful village of Pascelupo, from which you can glimpse the Hermitage of San Girolamo — not visitable, which is why it is not recommended to undertake the climb to reach it — where Blessed Paolo Giustiniani gave shelter to the first Capuchins.
The challenging fifth stage leads to Fabriano, the city of paper. The sixth crosses Cerreto d’Esi and Albacina and climbs to Poggio San Romualdo, passing through the Hermitage of Acquarella, where in 1529 the Capuchins held their first general chapter. The seventh stage arrives at Cupramontana and is particularly rich: it touches the Abbey of Valdiscastro, the Abbey of Sant’Urbano, the Hermitage of the Black Friars and the Hermitage of the White Friars: in this last place, the promoters of the Capuchin reform found refuge.
From here, the eighth stage begins, crossing Apiro and arriving at Cingoli, the “balcony of the Marche,” offering a vast panorama of the entire region. The ninth stage is the longest of the entire journey: it encounters the Hermitage of Sant’Angelo, which was the site of an early experience of reformed life. Midway, it meets San Lorenzo di Treia, then arrives at San Severino Marche, where an ancient Capuchin convent preserves the memory of Saint Francis’s passage. The tenth stage finally leads to Camerino, to the first convent of the Capuchin Order, a magnificent place of great allure.
Second part
from Camerino to Ascoli Piceno
156.8 km in 7 stages
From Camerino begins the second part of the journey: the eleventh stage leads to San Lorenzo al Lago, overlooking Lake Fiastra. The route of the next stage continues within the Monti Sibillini National Park and leads to the town of Sarnano. From there, the thirteenth stage crosses the Path of the Lost Waterfalls, climbs to Garulla and then reaches the Sanctuary of Madonna dell’Ambro, an enchanting place of spirituality nestled in the heart of the Sibillini, before arriving at Montefortino. The following stage crosses Amandola, skirts Lake San Ruffino, passes through Smerillo and reaches Montefalcone Appennino, from which the varied Marche landscape can be embraced with a single glance.
Starting again from the Convent of the Observants of Montefalcone Appennino — a place linked to the significant episode of Brother Matteo da Bascio’s escape — the fifteenth stage leads first to Force and then to Rotella. The next stage passes through Capradosso, a village that preserves the memory of the Venerable Brother Marcellino; from here the route continues towards Castignano and finally towards Offida, where the body of the beloved Blessed Bernardo da Offida is kept.
The last stage passes through the town of Appignano del Tronto and leads to Ascoli Piceno, and to its destination, the Sanctuary of San Serafino da Montegranaro, the Saint of the Capuchin Friars of the Marche. At 6:15 PM, the friars celebrate Holy Mass, where you can conclude the journey with a thanksgiving liturgy and receive the Testimonium.
