Sunday, April 20, 2025
- Start: Acquapendente, Italy
- End: Lake Bolsena
- Distance walked: 23.6 km (14.6 miles)
- Cumulative distance: 270.2 km (167.8 miles)
Although I didn’t originally plan this trek to coincide with any religious holidays, I spent day 10 of the Via Francigena walking on Easter Sunday. In my mind, I’d assumed this major religious holiday would mean everyone staying home to celebrate with their families, but Pasqua (Easter) in Italy is a community event. When I arrived in the resort town of Lake Bolsena at the end of this stage, people were out eating gelato, restaurants were open, and it felt like a giant celebration. I ran into Andreas and Catherine walking by the lake, then went in search of a stamp from Rocca Monaldeschi della Cervara (the historic medieval castle in town), before heading to the Santa Cristina Basilica and taking a tour of its unique underground catacombs.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Flowers seemed to be in bloom everywhere I looked today. Spring officially began a month ago, and it shows!
- I was pleasantly surprised to see tonight’s stop on the edge of Lake Bolsena bustling with tourists and locals when I arrived. Several of the restaurants were serving Easter dinner specials, but I opted for something new – Japanese food.
- Touring the Rocca Monaldeschi della Cervara fortress and the catacombs at the Santa Cristina Basilica made Bolsena one of my more unique town stops on this trek.
CHALLENGES
- San Lorenzo Nuevo was the only place to stop for coffee or a break on this stage of the Via Francigena, but at least they were open. I was worried that everything would be closed for Sunday and the Easter holiday.
- It made me a little sad this evening to realize that I only have 102 miles left to walk to Rome. I could theoretically be there in a mere 5 days. But I’m not sure I’m ready for this Italian journey to end quite yet.