The Spirit on the Path - Notes on the Via Francigena

A festival on the pilgrims' route

The Spirit on the Path - Notes on the Via Francigena is the summer music and performing arts festival that brings the Foro Cassio monumental complex to life in the Vetralla area, in the province of Viterbo. Established in 2024 and reaching its third edition in 2026, the event is promoted by the Vetralla Department of Culture and Tourism in collaboration with the Pro Loco, with artistic direction by Simone Precoma. The title says it all: here, music engages in a dialogue with the history and spirituality of the Via Francigena, the ancient route that led pilgrims from Canterbury to Rome and crosses these very lands of the Tuscia.

Foro Cassio, Vetralla's "Little Ferento"

The choice of location is no coincidence. Foro Cassio, dubbed "Little Ferento" by locals for its natural vocation as an open-air theater amidst ancient ruins, is a site of immense charm along the Via Francigena. It is a monumental complex nestled in the countryside where summer evenings take on a unique atmosphere. Enhancing this heritage through high-quality performances is the festival's stated goal, which over the years has turned the area into an exceptional stage for the Tuscia public and modern-day travelers walking the path.

The format: six Thursdays under the stars

The format is well-established: six evenings, every Thursday between late June and late July, with shows starting at 9:00 PM. The program intelligently spans various genres: local orchestras, candlelight concerts, swing vibes, gypsy jazz, tributes to the great masters of Italian songwriting, and evenings dedicated to opera. The 2026 edition featured the Orchestra della Tuscia, the female ensemble Le Capinere with over five hundred lit candles, the Minuscolo Spazio Vocale, a tribute to Fabrizio De André with Luca Cionco and Hotel Supramonte, the New Gypsy Trio, and an operatic performance by Opera Extravaganza.

A complete experience

The evenings at Foro Cassio are more than just concerts: before the shows, food stalls are available for dinner or to sample local products. In past editions, the event was enriched by guided tours of the archaeological site at sunset. It is a festival with a slow pace, in harmony with the spirit of the pilgrimage: arrive early, stroll among the ancient stones, dine outdoors, and then sit under the stars to enjoy the music.

Vetralla and the Tuscia

Vetralla, nestled along the Via Cassia on the slopes of the Cimini Mountains, is one of the historic stops on the Francigena in northern Lazio. The village, with its historic center and churches, is well worth a visit, along with nearby Tuscia destinations: Viterbo with its medieval San Pellegrino district, the villages of Sutri and Capranica, and the Etruscan necropolises scattered throughout the area. The Foro Cassio festival is an excellent opportunity to discover this authentic corner of the Lazio Region, far from the main tourist flows but rich in history, nature, and fine food.