How to get around Greccio

Greccio is two settlements at two altitudes, and visitors want the higher one.

The town lies about 16 kilometres by road north-west of Rieti, the nearest large town, on a spur of the Monti Sabini overhanging the Rieti valley.

The historic centre is at 705 metres — roughly 300 metres above the valley floor, where the frazioni of Spinacceto, Limiti di Greccio and Sellecchia are. The town hall is at Limiti, down in the valley, which catches people out.

That 300-metre difference is the whole transport question here. The famous part of Greccio is up; the services are down.

The sanctuary is on the spur itself, and the Cammino di Francesco is the walking route that reaches it — the historically correct way to arrive.

Further afield the distances are Apennine: Contigliano 8.1 kilometres, Rieti 15.5, Terni 27, L'Aquila 77, Rome 96.

Two Italian rules apply here as everywhere in the country. A ticket bought from a kiosk or machine must be validated on board before the journey starts, or an inspector will issue an on-the-spot fine. And driving into a historic centre usually needs a ZTL pass, with the boundary marked in black on a yellow sign.

From Rieti. About 16 kilometres by road to the north-west; Rieti is the nearest large town and the practical base.

From elsewhere. Contigliano 8.1 km, Terni 27 km, L'Aquila 77 km, Rome 96 km.

Between the two Grecios. The historic centre at 705 metres is about 300 metres above the valley frazioni of Spinacceto, Limiti di Greccio and Sellecchia. The town hall is at Limiti, in the valley.

On foot. The Cammino di Francesco passes through, and walking in is how the sanctuary was historically reached.

At the sanctuary. On the spur above the valley — a cliff-side Franciscan site rather than a level one.

Mobility note. This is the steepest destination in the Lazio set: a 300-metre rise between the comune's services and its sanctuary, on an Apennine spur.

Validate your ticket. If you buy a ticket from a kiosk or machine, you must validate it on public transport before you start your journey. Officials patrol and issue an on-the-spot fine if your ticket is not validated.

ZTL. You need a pass to drive into the historic centre of many Italian towns in a private or hire car. The boundaries are marked with the letters ZTL in black on a yellow sign, and a camera reads your plate.

Strikes. Transport strikes in Italy are often called at short notice, which matters most if your visit depends on a single connection.

Taxis. Use only officially licensed taxis, which carry a taxi sign on the roof and a company name and number on the side.