SHARRYLAND
Monument of St. Francis in Rieti
A statue to symbolize the deep connection between the Poverello of Assisi and the Sacred Valley.
Where is
Where is the statue of St. Francis in Rieti.
The spiritual center of Rieti is Piazza Mariano Vittori, where the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Papal Palace face each other, and where there is a statue about three meters high depicting St. Francis of Assisi in the act of blessing the city. His gaze is turned toward the Sacred Valley, also known as the Piana (or Conca) Reatina.
Why it's special: St. Francis and Rieti
St. Francis loved the Rieti Plain deeply, so much so that the name "Sacred Valley" derives precisely from the saint's many activities in this area. To symbolize this strong bond think the base of the statue, a block made of stone extracted from the rocky walls of Mount Lacerone, on which stands the sanctuary of Greccio (the place where the first performance of the Nativity took place).A bit of history
Made by the Rieti sculptor Cristo Giordano Nicoletti and unveiled on November 25, 1927, the statue celebrates the seventh centenary of the death of St. Francis. It was strongly desired by the Venerable Monsignor Massimo Rinaldi, bishop of Rieti from 1924 to 1941.
Curiosity: the people's saint.
The sum needed to make the statue of the Poverello of Assisi was challenging: 50,785.50 liras. It was raised thanks to the offerings of the faithful of Rieti and the surrounding area, all people eager to help pay homage to St. Francis. It also seems that during the workmanship, sculptor Nicoletti recited a sonnet he composed, invoking inspiration from the Saint to best represent his spiritual essence.
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