Discover Rieti

Rieti offers several concrete ways to explore its history: the Museo Civico in the Palazzo Comunale, the cathedral, churches, bell towers and medieval walls. The Cammino di Francesco also leads into medieval Rieti. The Velino is considered suitable for trying kayaking on moving water for the first time; rafting is also possible at some points along the river. When planning your trip, you can therefore weigh up architectural heritage, a multi-day hike and activities on the water.

Buildings and History in Rieti

The exhibition rooms of the Museo Civico are located in the Palazzo Comunale. Rieti Cathedral was completed and opened for worship in 1225; the Church of Sant’Agostino dates from the mid-13th century. These two buildings mark distinct historical periods. Their bell towers also stand out in their own ways: the cathedral tower dates from the 13th century and is 37.20 metres high. The bell tower of Sant’Agostino dates from the 14th century and has four bells. The cathedral is notable for its precise height, while Sant’Agostino stands out for its later construction date and its set of bells.

Another striking landmark is Rieti’s medieval walls, dating from the 13th century. They are still clearly visible today and are considered an important city attraction. Porta Romana was the southern gate at the Roman access viaduct into Rieti. The walls and gate offer different architectural points of reference for the city’s history: a prominent fortification on the one hand, and a named gate on a Roman access viaduct on the other. If you enjoy noticing individual architectural features, these offer more than just a date as a way to explore the history of the place.

The Pontifical Organ Dom Bedos-Roubo is another cultural point of interest: it is located in the Church of San Domenico. Together with the Museo Civico and the churches, it offers a varied perspective on Rieti, from exhibition rooms and sacred buildings to a specific musical instrument. These different subjects can shape the cultural part of your trip without requiring you to focus on just one building.

Hiking and Activities on the Velino

The central circular route of the Cammino di Francesco is 56 kilometres long and can be hiked in five days. The route leads into medieval Rieti. With this timeframe, the hike becomes a focus of its own in your travel plans, rather than a short detour between two sightseeing stops. If you plan to hike the Cammino, check the trail conditions before setting out and allow for the five hiking days in your plans.

A different kind of activity takes centre stage on the Velino. The river is considered suitable for trying kayaking on moving water for the first time. Rafting is possible at some points in Rieti; the specific locations may vary. When comparing the options, kayaking is presented as a way to get started on moving water, while rafting is only mentioned as being available at certain points. If rafting is important to your plans, check in advance which specific locations are suitable.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Rieti, these differences can provide a practical starting point: first consider whether you would like to focus your stay mainly on the buildings and their history, whether the five-day Cammino should shape your itinerary, or whether you would like to include activities on the water. If you are travelling as a family, weighing up these options can help you bring shared interests together with your preferred pace of travel. This way, your accommodation search can reflect the kind of stay you have in mind, rather than trying to squeeze every experience into the same daily schedule.

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