"Fonte Colombo - St Francis Writes Rule" Rieti Travelogue by icunme

Rieti Travel Guide: 15 reviews and 45 photos

Fonte Colombo Chapel at Entrance - Rieti

Deep in the Rieti Forest

You are high in St Francis' forest here, with a hand laid stone passageway from the top Chapel down to small individual structures. Fonte Colombo lies some 5 kilometres from Rieti.
Here you truly have a sense of walking in the steps of St Francis - more so than the vastness of Assisi - here you have the secluded little structures and the stone passageway leading down to each - indeed, he walked here.
It marks the place where Francis wrote the Later Rule of 1223, confirmed by Pope Honorius III on 29 November. The name Fonte Colombo derives from the latin "fons columbarum" (the fountain of doves). Fontecolombo was consecrated in 1450 by Cardinal Nicolò di Cusa. It is dedicated to St. Francis and St. Bernardine of Siena. The original nucleus of Fonte Colombo includes the hermitage, in which Francis underwent the painful operation when he had his temples cauterised in 1225.

Other holy places include the chapel of St. Michael and the grotto of Brother Leo.

Leaving the Chapel - the walk down the stone path

It was here in 1226 in this small house on the left next to the convent, that doctors cauterized Francis's eyes, trying to effect a cure for his glaucoma, and Francis asked "Brother Fire" to be gentle. The brothers ran away at the gruesome sight, but Francis said he felt no pain.

Altar with wall frescos

"T" (Tau) visible in the window

Further down there is the chapel of Santa Maria Maddalena, which is the original chapel in which Francis and brother Leo prayed. On the side of the altar one can find the TAU painted on the wall and in the window. The letter T is a biblical sign of salvation and, after Christ's death, represented the crucifixion. This is the chapel that Francis built with his own hands.

The cave along the downward stone path

Altar inside the cave

The Sacro Speco is a kind of cave or crevice in the rock, and it marks the place in which Francis retreated in solitude and prayer in order to write the Later Rule. This is the cave where Brother Leo spent much time. Beside the cave is the stump of a tree where Jesus is said to have appeared to Francis and where Francis fasted for forty days and completed the Rule.

Lower stone path

Further down the path - below the cave to the Lower altar. It is certain that Saint Francis walked this path often.

Close-up view of Santa Maria Maddalena altar

Upper Chapel interior

Upper chapel original exterior

All of the commercialism so prevalent at Assisi is conspicuous in its absence from Fonte Colombo. There is a small shop by the chapel where you can purchase Franciscan items - mostly a wonderful selection of books.

Fonte Colombo - St Francis Writes Rule - Rieti

Courtyard garden at Fonte Colombo upper chapel

Page Updated Jul 30, 2006
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Reviews (8)

Things to Do (2)
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Comments (16)

JLBG Nov 16, 2009 at 1:36 PM Report Abuse

A nice and quite little place! I love the photo of the Sacred Valley of Rieti
titabell Nov 15, 2009 at 9:52 AM Report Abuse

This is a wonderful page. I love reading your intro page and the tips as well. Well done. Thanks!
nicolaitan Aug 28, 2009 at 8:47 AM Report Abuse

these pictures exude spirituality. the ceiling frescoes in the convent are beautiful. a lovely valley, previously i had never heard of it. thanks for sharing this page.
Maryimelda Jul 23, 2009 at 9:50 PM Report Abuse

I'll definitely be there next visit to Italy. Didn't even know it existed. thanks Carol, it's just lovely. Regards, Kate
Trekki Jul 2, 2009 at 9:25 PM Report Abuse

Oh Carol, this is beautiful!! I was so close last year (Lago Piediluco)! The landscape is so charming, so magnificent for hiking! And San Francesco was here as well! I'll be back in real life :-)) Thanks :-)
scottishvisitor Nov 21, 2007 at 8:59 AM Report Abuse

A very peaceful feel comes through this page!!
deecat Sep 5, 2007 at 12:23 PM Report Abuse

Wonderful! Great introduction with loads of information. Superior travelogue. Enjoyed all the descriptions and information about a place I missed and regret it.
mvtouring Mar 28, 2007 at 11:32 PM Report Abuse

Very interesting page. Doing the Sacramento walk in Spain in 2010, but think I should also start thinking of St Francis one ;-)
jo104 Jan 26, 2007 at 8:16 AM Report Abuse

This place looks like its clad in serenity - good informative tips Carol :-)
kenHuocj Nov 9, 2006 at 1:25 PM Report Abuse

now i must plan to follow the footpaths of St francis in the Rieti Valley ;-)))