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Português Urban trekking
Exploring the historic center of San Donato Val di Comino means immersing oneself in an authentic and engaging experience, where every corner tells a story. Urban trekking, or "vagabonding," here takes on a free and spontaneous form of tourism, ideal for those who like to be surprised along the way.
Suitable for all ages, this activity allows people to discover the village with curious eyes, embracing adventure in the everyday and finding beauty in the simplest details. The routes through San Donato are enriched by unevenness, steps and narrow alleys, offering an experience that stimulates both body and mind.
The Middle Ages in the
Castrum Sancti Donati
Urban trekking offers a fascinating journey into the heart of the ancient village of San Donato Val di Comino, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the authentic atmosphere of the Middle Ages. To traverse its streets is to walk through centuries of history, where towers, walls, alleys and supports tell the story of the Castrum, evoking the daily life of the ladies, soldiers, monks and peasants who once inhabited these lands. A key point of interest is the cult of St. Donatus, whose shrine has a thousand-year history, dating back to before 778 A.D., when it passed from the Lombard duchy of Spoleto to the monastery of San Vincenzo al Volturno.
During this tour, visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the architectural evolution of the village, which saw the primitive castle transformed into a charming medieval village, characterized by an intricate maze of alleys and covered passageways. Today, this village is recognized with the prestigious Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club, a testament to its historical and cultural value and its ability to attract tourists from all over the world.
Some stages of the urban trekking
Charles Coletti Square
Holy Stairs
Spuort of Origins
Shrine
West Gate
Via Pedicata
Cathedral
Via Annunziata
Naples Street (1)
Piazza LibertÃ
Naples Street (2)
Convent
Villa Grancassa
The way of churches,
Of saints and pilgrims
Urban trekking is a spiritual and historical journey through the charming historic center of San Donato Val di Comino, a village steeped in devotion and religious traditions. To walk along these streets is to immerse oneself in an atmosphere of peace and recollection, which for centuries has attracted tourists and pilgrims seeking spirituality and contemplation. Certified with the Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club, San Donato is a place where religious history is intertwined with art and culture, offering visitors a unique experience.
Along this route, we will delve into the cults of St. Donatus and St. Constance, central figures in the religious history of the village, and discover the stories of the early Benedictines who laid the foundations of local spirituality here. We will follow the traces of the arrival of the Franciscans and the construction of their convent, with special attention to the stories of charismatic figures such as Fra Tommaso and Father Anacleto Cenci, who left an indelible imprint on the community. The itinerary will also take us to learn about the arrival in the village of St. Maria de Mattias, foundress of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ, and the vanished churches, symbols of a past rich in faith.
Among the trekking stops, we will discover the holy shrines and paintings that adorn the facades of many of the buildings, true hidden treasures that tell stories of devotion and miracles. Special attention will be paid to the devotion to Our Lady of Loreto, which led the community to make a solemn vow in 1762. Every corner of the village tells a story, and to walk these streets is to relive the folk traditions that have deeply marked the identity of San Donato Val di Comino.
Some stages of the urban trekking
The dragon and the mysteries
of the land of San Donato
Urban trekking offers an exciting and adventurous journey through the heart of the historic center of San Donato Val di Comino, where legends and mysteries are intertwined with the history of the village. This trail is perfect for those fascinated by the supernatural and ancient stories that still animate the collective imagination of the Val di Comino.
As you walk through the narrow, labyrinthine alleys, you will find yourself immersed in a world of fantastic creatures and folk tales that have terrified and fascinated generations. Here, stories of monks and goblins mingle with darker ones of werewolves, restless souls, and hanged men who are said to haunt the ancient clock. Local legends also speak of the palpable fear aroused by the hairy hand and sleepwalkers, eerie figures said to roam the village streets on the darkest nights.
But the real star of this tour is the Tower Dragon, a mythical creature that according to legend dwells in the dungeons of the medieval tower, guardian of unmentionable secrets. The tour will take you through these tales, revealing how the Sandonese fantasy tradition is incredibly rich in characters and stories capable of sending shivers down your spine.
Accompanying the trek is an exceptional soundtrack: the tale of a piano gone mad, whose mysterious music still seems to echo within the walls of the village. "The dragon and the mysteries of the land of San Donato" is more than just a trek; it is an experience that will make you discover the dark and fascinating side of San Donato Val di Comino, a journey that will leave you breathless and with the feeling that, in this ancient village, stories are not just tales, but a tangible reality that lurks around every corner. Are you ready to challenge yourself and explore the unknown?
Some stages of the urban trekking
Charles Coletti Square
Old City Hall
Hotel Gaudiello
German Command
Piave Street
Essex Road
Tower of the Counts of Aquino
Aircraft Shelters
Domicile of the Levi Family
Parsonage
Home of Vincenzo Piselli
Marconi Avenue
School Building
San Donato
rear of the Cassino front line
The urban trek offers a historical journey through the center of San Donato Val di Comino, taking visitors to discover the crucial sites of World War II, when the village became a strategic point for the German army. This trail allows visitors to relive a dramatic period in history, during which San Donato, the closest to the front among the valley's non-displaced and non-destroyed villages, became an important rear line for the Cassino front.
Through the various stages of the route, we will have the opportunity to explore the buildings used by the German military, the dwellings that housed Jewish internees, and the places of daily life in those times. We will also discover the architecture built during the years of fascism, such as the famous School Building designed by architect Giuseppe Romita, a symbol of that era.
The trek concludes with a tribute to the San Donato workers, whose commitment to the reconstruction of Montecassino, work at the Polish Military Cemetery in Cassino and the Military Shrine in Mignano Montelungo, remains a testament to the resilience and courage of a community that, although hard hit by the war, contributed significantly to the rebirth of the area. This itinerary is not only a trip down memory lane, but also a tribute to those who lived and worked during those difficult years, leaving an indelible mark on the history of San Donato Val di Comino.
Some stages of the urban trekking
Stories of
Florentine merchants, armigers and stonemasons
Urban trekking offers a fascinating journey into the Renaissance past of San Donato Val di Comino, a period of great social, cultural and economic flourishing. Beginning in the 16th century, the village became a crossroads of commerce and the arts, attracting Florentine merchants and transforming itself into a vital and dynamic center. This itinerary allows visitors to discover how San Donato developed urbanistically, with the birth of new artisan workshops and the presence of a militia of young men who ensured the village's defense.
Through the streets of the village, we will relive the stories of the stonemasons of San Donato, masters in the art of stone carving, whose works have left a lasting impression both in Italy and abroad. Their skills helped shape the unique character of San Donato, making the historic center a place of great architectural and cultural value, now recognized with the prestigious Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club.
During the visit, every nook and cranny of the village will reveal traces of a glorious past, where merchants and artisans animated the streets and young armigieri proudly defended their land. This trek not only celebrates San Donato's rich heritage, but also offers a deep understanding of the social and economic forces that have shaped its identity over the centuries.
Some stages of the urban trekking
Maple Creek
Junction of Pezzullo and Cunnola
Glie Pince
Trenches and shelters
Roccia dei Tedeschi
Anti-aircraft station
Forest of the Littorio
Rock of the
Germans
The urban trek leads visitors through an evocative route that interweaves history and nature, evoking a crucial period of World War II. Between the fall of 1943 and the spring of 1944, San Donato Val di Comino and the entire valley became an important rear of the Cassino Front. This itinerary offers an opportunity to explore the mountains and peaks of the valley, where military artifacts such as emplacements, shelters, fortifications and trenches, all designed by German military engineers and built with the help of local labor, can still be found today.
One of the most significant interventions is the Monte Pizzuto defense system, created to control the Forca d'Acero pass, a crucial strategic point during the conflict. The trail begins with alternating glades and scrubland, where light and shadow dance over a landscape characterized by rich blooms and limestone rock outcroppings. This natural rock garden, besides being a place of great historical interest, also has a cinematic touch: in the summer of 1942, it became the set of the film "Carmen," an Italian-French colossal starring two international stars, Viviane Romance and Jean Marais.
Trekking is not only a journey through wartime memories, but also an experience that allows you to immerse yourself in an extraordinarily beautiful landscape, where history mixes with nature in a fascinating and engaging tale.
The Royal Mines
of San Donato
The urban trek offers a fascinating journey through the industrial history of the South along the path that was once traveled by miners, women haulers and artillerymen while working in the mines. These mines were built at the behest of King Ferdinand II of Bourbon, in response to the uprisings of 1848 and British pressure for control of the natural resources of southern Italy. The ruler, with the aim of strengthening the economy and armed forces, boosted scientific research and technological innovation, focusing considerable investment on the iron industry. Important mining districts emerged from these efforts, including the Royal Mines of San Donato and Campoli, and the Royal Magona of Rosanisco.
The trail not only allows you to relive the history of these mines, but also offers a glimpse into the rich biodiversity of the area. As you walk through the remnants of this industrial past, you are immersed in a lush natural environment where you can encounter various plant and animal species. Among them, a particular inhabitant of the mines is the bat "Lesser Horseshoe," which has found refuge in these ancient tunnels, becoming its undisputed overlord. The "Royal Mines of San Donato" trek is therefore a unique experience, combining history and nature, revealing to visitors the hidden secrets of an area that has been able to blend the industrial past and environmental richness.
Forca d'Acero Stream
Junction of Pezzullo and Cunnola
Ascent of the Monacelli
Musketeer Shelter
Forest of the Empire
San Ferdinando Gallery
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