From Camaldoli to Badia Prataglia
Nature, history and spirituality blend together in Tuscany along the spiritual paths that crisscross the territory, including the area around Arezzo. This is where you can find the via Francigena, as well as a path linking this famous pilgrimage route to Arezzo. But did you know there is also another spiritual route to hike in this area known as the San Vicinio Path? The route takes you on a loop that starts and ends in Sarsina in Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany's neighbour.
Sarsina can be found in the upper Savio valley, home to a sanctuary dedicated to San Vicinio, known as Saint Vicinius of Sarsina in English. The saint was originally from Liguria and came to Sarsina when religious persecution was taking hold. He's famous for having practiced poverty through prayer and fasting and for rejecting worldly goods.
Today, the itinerary dedicated to him is marked on all the signage along the route with a chain symbol, a reference to San Vicinio's chain, or collar, which plays a central role in the cult and tradition of the saint, much the same as a relic.