Festival of the Paths of St. Francis – Sansepolcro stops
The Sansepolcro legs of the itinerant Franciscan festival in the Valtiberina valley
About Paths of St. Francis – Sansepolcro
The Festival of the Paths of St. Francis in Sansepolcro
The Festival of the Paths of St. Francis is an itinerant event launched in 2017 and organized by the Fondazione Progetto Valtiberina. Every spring, it traverses the most significant Franciscan sites in the Upper Tiber Valley, between Tuscany and Umbria. Sansepolcro, an art city in the Province of Arezzo overlooking the Valtiberina, serves as the festival's organizational hub and one of its most vibrant stops, blending walking, dialogue, cinema, and research.
A Franciscan city of art and science
As the home of Piero della Francesca and the mathematician Luca Pacioli—the father of double-entry bookkeeping and modern accounting—Sansepolcro provides a culturally rich backdrop for the festival. It is no coincidence that the local events often focus on Pacioli, a Franciscan friar and scientist, sparking international conferences on economics, ethics, and business that engage with contemporary issues.
In the footsteps of St. Francis
The festival draws inspiration from the values and locations associated with St. Francis of Assisi: fraternity, respect for creation, care for others, and the power of walking together. In Sansepolcro, this spirit comes to life through the walk to the Eremo di Montecasale, one of the most evocative Franciscan sites in the Valtiberina, and through meetings that bridge philosophy, science, and spirituality. The 2026 edition marks the tenth anniversary of the event and is part of the national celebrations for the eight-hundredth anniversary of the saint's death.
Walk, watch, reflect
- Auteur cinema at Cinema Nuova Aurora, featuring screenings dedicated to major films about St. Francis.
- Franciscan walk to the Eremo di Montecasale, organized by the Circolo degli Esploratori.
- High-profile conferences and meetings at the Town Council Hall and the Dionisio Roberti Library.
- Events are free to attend (excluding cinema screenings), with booking recommended.
Sansepolcro and the Valtiberina
Nestled in the Upper Tiber Valley, on the border between Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, and Emilia-Romagna, Sansepolcro preserves a Renaissance old town of rare beauty. Participating in the Festival of the Paths of St. Francis offers an authentic perspective on this "Village of Villages," amidst art masterpieces, Franciscan trails, and the peaceful atmosphere of the pilgrimage routes in Tuscany.
Paths of St. Francis – Sansepolcro — edition 2026
Sansepolcro, May 21 and 23, 2026
The Sansepolcro legs of the 2026 Festival of the Paths of St. Francis are part of the tenth edition of the event, scheduled across Tuscany and Umbria in the spring of 2026. This year's theme, «Stay close to me and sing. The testament of Francis», invites us to walk together and remain human, even within our limitations.
In Sansepolcro, in the Province of Arezzo, the program opens on Thursday, May 21, with a season of auteur cinema at the Cinema Nuova Aurora and continues on Saturday, May 23, with a Franciscan walk, an international economics conference, and a meeting between science and spirituality, confirming the festival's formula of blending walking, dialogue, and culture.
Programme Paths of St. Francis – Sansepolcro 2026
Sansepolcro 2026 Program
Thursday, May 21
- 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM – «Brother Sun, Sister Moon», screening of the film by Franco Zeffirelli (1972) at Cinema Nuova Aurora. At 6:00 PM in Italian, at 9:00 PM in English with Italian subtitles. In collaboration with ACEC. Tickets available at the cinema box office.
Saturday, May 23
- 8:30 AM – «Montecasale Loop» walk, a circular route through the Franciscan sites of the Valtiberina. Meeting point at Piazza Torre di Berta. Free with mandatory booking, organized by the Circolo degli Esploratori.
- 9:30 AM – International conference on Franciscan economics «Adding Value. The systemic vision of economy and business from the Franciscan Luca Pacioli to today», at the Town Council Hall. Featuring Stefano Zamagni and Luigino Bruni, with Valentino Mercati (founder of Aboca) and academic contributions from Massimo Ciambotti, Davide Scandaletti, Giulia Angelucci, and Paola Pinelli. Free admission with booking.
- 4:30 PM – «The Invisible That Lives», meeting at the Dionisio Roberti Municipal Library with scientist Antonella Fioravanti and art curator Giovanna Zucconi. Free admission with booking.
- 6:00 PM – Inauguration of the exhibition «De Divina Proportione: myth, mystery, and harmony for the new life sciences» (Via Aggiunti), curated by Aboca Museum.
Highlights Paths of St. Francis – Sansepolcro 2026
- Screening of the masterpiece «Brother Sun, Sister Moon» by Franco Zeffirelli at Cinema Nuova Aurora, in Italian and English.
- Franciscan walk «Montecasale Loop» towards one of the most evocative sites in the Valtiberina.
- International conference «Adding Value» on Luca Pacioli with economists Stefano Zamagni and Luigino Bruni.
- Meeting «The Invisible That Lives» with scientist Antonella Fioravanti and Giovanna Zucconi.
- Tenth anniversary edition, in the year of the eight-hundredth anniversary of the death of St. Francis.
Prices Paths of St. Francis – Sansepolcro 2026
Practical information — Paths of St. Francis – Sansepolcro
Getting there
Sansepolcro is located in the Province of Arezzo, in the Tuscan Valtiberina. It is accessible via the E45 highway (Sansepolcro exit) and the SS73 road. The Sansepolcro train station is connected to the line serving Arezzo and Perugia. The historic center is easily explored on foot.
Bookings
Attendance at conferences and meetings is free, though booking via the official festival website is recommended. Cinema screenings at the Cinema Nuova Aurora require a ticket. For the walk to Montecasale, registration must be completed through the tour operator Circolo degli Esploratori.
Tips
For the walk, we recommend trekking shoes, water, and clothing suitable for the weather. Always check the official festival website for updated schedules and meeting points.
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Where does it take place — Paths of St. Francis – Sansepolcro
Cinema Nuova Aurora / Sala del Consiglio Comunale / Biblioteca Dionisio Roberti
Via dei Montefeltro 1/h, 52037 Sansepolcro