Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
17 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
18 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
18 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
18 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Rivodutri Saint Francis's Beech Tree

Saint Francis's Beech Tree

Legend said this huge, gnarled tree sheltered the saint during a storm.

Rivodutri, Italy

Added By
Jan Claus Di Blasio
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
The majestic beech of Saint Francis.   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
The majestic beech of Saint Francis.   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
The majestic beech of Saint Francis.   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
The small chapel near the Beech Tree.   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Valley of Rieti in Sabina is known as Valle Santa (Holy Valley) for the number of Franciscan monasteries that dot this forested region northeast of Rome. There are several legends associated with the saint, one of which might have left traces that are still visible today. 

In the woods above the small town of Rivodutri, along the Way of Saint Francis, an extraordinary beech tree is said to have assumed its present shape when it sheltered the saint during a storm. This legend explains why, unlike other beech trees, this particular monumental tree has assumed its present “weeping” shape. 

Although the tree is more likely only 250 old—and therefore far too young to have protected the saint in this circumstance—is a rare and extraordinary beech tree with gnarled and twisting branches that give it a fairytale-like shape. Pilgrims who walk the Way of Saint Francis leave offerings at the base of the tree and marvel in its extraordinary shape and size. 

The tree is approximately 26 feet (eight meters) high and its circumference measures about 13 feet (four meters). 

Related Tags

Trails Pilgrimages Trees Saints Legends Plants

Know Before You Go

The tree can be reached by car from Rivodutri and Cepparo (please note: the last stretch of the road is in poor condition). You can park by the chapel on the side of the road and walk down the trail on the left.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

LatiumMirabile

Published

August 23, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.camminodifrancesco.it/camminodifrancesco/en/the-saint-francis-beech-tree-rivodutri/
  • http://www.visitlazio.com/giubileo/en/the-beech-of-st-francis/
Saint Francis's Beech Tree
Unnamed Road
Rivodutri, 02010
Italy
42.534423, 12.873616
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Alchemical Door of Rivodutri

Rivodutri, Italy

miles away

Rocca di Piediluco

Piediluco, Italy

miles away

Museum of the Mummies

Ferentillo, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rivodutri

Rivodutri

Italy

Places 2

Nearby Places

Alchemical Door of Rivodutri

Rivodutri, Italy

miles away

Rocca di Piediluco

Piediluco, Italy

miles away

Museum of the Mummies

Ferentillo, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rivodutri

Rivodutri

Italy

Places 2

Related Places

  • Tulare County, California

    Mark Twain Stump

    The last remnant of a tree that helped prove to the world that sequoias are real—and they’re spectacular.

  • Dragos Gelemos

    La Palma, Spain

    Dragos Gemelos

    Behind this pair of dragon trees, there is a tragic story of lost love.

  • Torquato Tasso’s Oak Tree

    Rome, Italy

    Torquato Tasso's Oak Tree

    The charred, dead skeleton of an oak tree is said to have consoled a dying 16th-century Italian poet.

  • Parliament Oak

    Warsop, England

    Parliament Oak

    English parliaments were once convened by this ancient oak tree in the heart of Sherwood Forest.

  • Today, teenagers gather around the tree, and often deface it.

    Bernards Township, New Jersey

    Devil's Tree

    An allegedly cursed tree represents a town's reckoning with a racist past.

  • Gryteskogen Troll Trees

    Lund NO, Sweden

    Gryteskogen Troll Trees

    This collection of Dwarf beech trees were once believed to be enchanted trolls in disguise.

  • Bolton’s Bench, Lyndhurst

    Lyndhurst, England

    Bolton's Bench

    According to legend, a noble knight and a terrible dragon lie beneath this storied hill.

  • Alton, England

    The Chained Oak

    A creepy tree with a local legend that inspired a nearby theme park ride.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.