To mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi (1226–2026), the Alta Valle del Potenza Museum Network is presenting a region-wide itinerary that brings together museums, the landscape, and the local heritage with selected passages from the Canticle of the Creatures.
The route passes through the municipalities of Castelraimondo, Pioraco, San Severino Marche, and Sefro, inviting visitors to view the cultural heritage through a Franciscan lens: the Earth that nourishes and clothes us, the Water that flows and transforms, the Fire that illuminates, labor that becomes care, Death as a passage, and the Wind as a return to the essential.
Each stop arises from the intersection of a location in the Network and a word from the Canticle: not just a visit to museums, but a journey through objects, stories, communities, and nature. An invitation to rediscover creation as a space for connection, gratitude, and responsibility.
The stages of the route
📍 Castelraimondo
“Habitus” National Museum of Folk Costumes
A Word from the Canticle: Sora nostra matre Terra
The theme: The Franciscan habit and traditional folk costumes represent two different ways of “clothing the earth”: on the one hand, poverty and simplicity; on the other, the living memory of communities.
📍 Pioraco
Civic Museums
A Word from the Canticle: Sor’Acqua
The theme: The water of the Potenza River becomes a source of productivity, artisanal skill, and memory: from paper to filigree, a humble material is transformed into a medium for words, images, and knowledge.
📍 San Severino Marche
“G. Moretti” Archaeological Museum
A Word from the Canticle: Sora nostra Morte corporale
The theme: Ancient burials, grave goods, and rituals engage in a dialogue with the perspective of Francis, who calls death “sister” and invites us to reflect on limits, memory, and surrender.
MUSET – Museum of Electricity and the Territory The experience at MUSET is divided into two conceptual focuses:
Focus 1: Frate Focu – From fire to electric light, the museum explores energy as both a technical achievement and a responsibility: a force capable of illuminating, transforming, and serving life.
Focus 2: Infirmitate et tribulatione – Objects from the worlds of work, healthcare, and daily life speak to the toil, fragility, and care that serve as silent forces in building communities.
📍 Sefro
Nature Spot
A Word from the Canticle: Frate Vento
The theme: Amid wind, rock, silence, and Franciscan memory, the journey reaches its most intimate destination: an invitation to rediscover moderation, listening, and a return to the essential.
🥾 Discover the walking trails: Nature and Cultural Hikes
Would you like to experience this itinerary in an even more immersive way? In addition to the museums and villages you can visit on your own, we’ve put together a special program of guided hikes. In collaboration with Marche Active Tourism, 4 exclusive events are scheduled between July and August 2026. This is a unique opportunity to combine hiking with exploring the region’s Franciscan heritage and spirituality.
👉 Click here to view the schedule of guided hikes, the dates, and how to make a reservation.