Author Archives: M. Roland

Latera: persone gentili (kind people)

Posted on June 16, 2026 by M. Roland

Traveling often focuses on sights to see, restaurants to sample, and negotiating crowds. Staying in Latera for two weeks, however, gave us a chance to get to know a few of the 770 people who call the quiet town of … Continue reading →

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Latera: bosco (woods)

Posted on June 13, 2026 by M. Roland

Slate gray bedazzled by iridescent green. The boschi (forests) of Latera burst with spring color, softly surrounding the town as a breathing cloud, a magical green world. One minute you are in town and the next you are enveloped in … Continue reading →

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Latera: Borgo Medievale

Posted on June 10, 2026 by M. Roland

You might wonder: what is it like to live in a small medieval village?  Well, thanks to La Casa Etruria Artist Residency, we had a chance to experience a little bit of what it might be like.  Just ten miles from the official … Continue reading →

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Via Francigena Day 5: La Storta to Rome (19.2 km, but about 15 km for us)

Posted on May 26, 2026 by M. Roland

[Reader, if you are just joining this journey, click on the “About” tab for context. The chronological posts begin in January 2026.] May 13, 2026 (Wednesday). Pilgrimage. Chaucer began his famed Canterbury Tales with the fictional, genial tavern keeper, Harry Bailly, announcing … Continue reading →

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Via Francigena: Day 4 Campagnano to La Storta (24 km)

Posted on May 23, 2026 by M. Roland

May 12, 2026 (Tuesday). Primavera/ Regeneration Oh glorious new day and the regeneration of both sleep and springtime! Paul worked on my back and we have new energy for the day and walk ahead. Notice that the map of Campagnano … Continue reading →

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Via Francigena, Day 3: Sutri to Campagnano di Roma Officially 28-31 km, but we walked about 18km (11 mi)

Posted on May 22, 2026 by M. Roland

May 11, 2026 (Monday). Hubris. We woke from a night’s rest after our long, rainy walk yesterday stiff and achey. We both exercise daily, but we did little or nothing to prepare for this walk. And this morning–we feel it. … Continue reading →

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Via Francigena, Day 2: Vetralla to Sutri, 24 km + an additional and unplanned 6 additional km (18 miles)

Posted on May 21, 2026 by M. Roland

May 10, 2026 (Sunday) Intention Before we began our Via Francigena pilgrimage, we reflected on our intentions and aspirations. Rome, as the Catholic center of the world, does not hold a religious force for either of us. I grew up … Continue reading →

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Via Francigena – Day 1: Viterbo to Vetralla, 23 km (14.5 miles)

Posted on May 20, 2026 by M. Roland

May 9, 2026 (Saturday). We leave Viterbo under sunny skies and with high spirits! We start on the Viccolo dei Pelligrini, the traditional route out of Viterbo to Rome, and are outside the city walls in just a short time. … Continue reading →

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Pre-walk: a day to get our bearings in Viterbo

Posted on May 19, 2026 by M. Roland

The presence and imagery of pilgrims, “pelligrini” in Italian, along the towns of the Via Francigena is centuries old, as the reproductions of medieval pilgrims, above, represent. Viterbo has a sizable medieval quarter, an astonishing and beguiling portal to another … Continue reading →

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Walking the Via Francigena! An interlude

Posted on May 9, 2026 by M. Roland

Friends–I’m interrupting this narrative journey to walk a part of the Via Francigena, from the amazing medieval city of Viterbo (the largest intact medieval quarter in Italy) to Rome! When done, I’ll post a daily capture of the journey.

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