La Storta: Roman History and the Via Francigena

Roman local history, pilgrimage routes and a village shaped by the Middle Ages give La Storta a rich historical setting. Here, you can connect the history of a Roman post station with stages leading to La Storta and nearby Isola Farnese. This makes the area interesting if you want to plan your stay around a range of historical and active pursuits.

A Roman Station on the Via Cassia-Clodia

La Storta was founded as a post station during the Roman Empire. Horses were changed there, and travellers and postmen could rest. The station stood at the ninth mile of the Via Cassia-Clodia; a town grew up around it. The link between the station and the town’s origins gives La Storta’s early history a tangible connection to the journeys that began and continued here.

Around the year 1000, Abbot Sigeric mentioned La Storta in his account of a pilgrimage to Rome along the Via Francigena. His account places the village in the context of the station. La Storta’s history thus brings together a Roman resting place and horse-changing station and a pilgrimage route. In the Middle Ages, increasing banditry and feuding led to La Storta being given the byname “Malpasso.” One possible explanation for the name “La Storta” refers to the Via Cassia, which may have curved and divided there; this interpretation is therefore uncertain.

Isola Farnese and Ancient Veii

Two kilometres from La Storta lies Isola Farnese, a village shaped by the Middle Ages, with a castle, walls and defensive towers. Near the village, you can visit the archaeological area of the ancient Etruscan city of Veii, including the Sanctuary of Portonaccio. This offers different historical perspectives to shape your travel plans: the character of a medieval village and the archaeological site of an ancient city with its sanctuary.

If you are interested in cultural history, it is worth considering these destinations as distinct points of interest. Isola Farnese and the area of Veii are close to one another, while La Storta adds another historical layer with its Roman station and its mention by Sigeric. These differences can help you tailor your stay to whether you want to focus primarily on local history, medieval architecture or the archaeological site.

Stages to La Storta

Stage 44 of the Via Francigena runs from Campagnano to La Storta. Stage 45 runs from Campagnano di Roma to La Storta and can be completed on foot or by bicycle. This stage is listed as difficulty level E – Hiking, with a length of 25 kilometres, 489 metres of ascent and 611 metres of descent. Keep the stage numbers distinct when planning, and check trail conditions before setting out.

The details for Stage 45 give you concrete figures for planning an active day; Stage 44 of the Via Francigena can be identified by its route and endpoints. This lets you choose the route information according to which stage interests you, without mixing up different numbers or details.

Plan your journey and find a holiday apartment

For the journey to Isola Farnese, the FL3 Roma–Cesano rail line lists Roma Valle Aurelia or Roma Ostiense as departure stations. Get off at La Storta-Formello station; from there, a 1.5-kilometre walk leads to Isola Farnese. Confirm that the service is running before you travel. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide whether La Storta’s history, Isola Farnese and Veii, or the stages will shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Saracinesco, Segni, Tragliata, Nazzano, Santa Severa, Pavona, Ladispoli, Santa Lucia.

Return to the main travel overview: Rome.