Along the river between history and art
The Tiber Valley Area includes 20 towns set mostly along some of the major consular roads, and is divided into two sections: the Sabine-Latin and the Etruscan-Capenate countryside. In a natural environment such as that of the Treja Valley Park and the Nazzano-Tevere-Farfa and the Mount Soratte nature reserves, you find evidence of past civilizations: the Vejo archaeological park, the Lucus Feroniae and the villa of the Volusiis. The visit of this area, characterised by the presence of the olive tree - particularly luxuriant in the section of the "pure" Soratte dear to Orace, - allow to the lovers of good cuisine to buy some excellent oil and to taste a very good D.O.C. wine, the Bianco Capena, suitable for the typical food of the area. Monterotondo and Mentana reachable from the Salarian and the Nomentanian Ways or with the A1 highway, are parts, with Montelibretti, of the Roman Sabine, which is also known for the production of excellent quality D.O.C. (controlled denomination of origin) olive oil. Situated on the Salarian, Monterotondo had represented for centuries a strategical point for the defence of Rome: the Town Hall, the Cathedral, and the church of S. Maria delle Grazie with a XV century aedicula, witness its ancient importance. Among gentle hills appears Mentana, conquered in the 338 B.C. by the Romans. To the late-republican period belongs the Horrea Agrippinae, outstanding storehouses owned by Nero's mother. To remember historical events that characterized the life of a city in which, as in Monterotondo, the memory of the passage of Garibaldi's army is vivid, the town offers historical-archaeological itineraries and guided visits. The last centre along the Salarian is Montelibretti, whose history is bond with that of the Abbey of Farfa. To remark the Barberini Palace, around which the first urban centre, and the S. Nicola di Bari church, built in 1535, were raised.
Between the Cassian and the Flaminian Ways are 5 towns with typical medieval villages. But it is first advisable a stop at Isola Farnese and the remains of the Etruscan city of Vejo. Of proud Etruscan origins is Formello, a town, which became property of the San Paolo monk around the year 1000, and, then, went to the Orsini and afterwards (XVII century) to the Chigi Albani family.
The village is very charming and much interesting are the Chigi Palace and the churches of S. Lorenzo and S. Michele Arcangelo (XI century). On the volcanic slopes of the Mount Musino appears Sacrofano, in whose centre stands out the church of S. Giovanni Battista; outside the village are the ancient Town Hall and the church of S. Biagio. Another town of Etruscan origins is Campagnano di Roma, with its marvellous S. Giovanni Battista church; then follows Magliano Romano, perched on a cliff that dominates the Nocchia Valley. We, then, arrive to Mazzano Romano, set on a small overhanging rise of the Treja Valley.
Proceeding along the Flaminian and Tiburtinian Ways, and the A1 highway you reach 12 towns overlooked by the Mount Soratte peaks. At just 17 miles from Rome you first reach Riano, one of the most ancient villages of the Tiber Valley, whose jewels are the Boncompagni Ludovisi Castle and the XVII century Fontanone. After a few miles, you arrive at Castelnuovo di Porto, with a beautiful XIV century post station at its entrance. Of particular interest are the Colonna Fortress (XVI century), the church of S. Silvestro in Colonna and the collegiate of Santa Maria Assunta. You can recognize Morlupo by the imposing XIV century Orsini Castle, whose origins - as for Castelnuovo di Porto - are linked to the escape of populations towards sites that were more defensible by the Saracens and Hungarians invasions. Of outstanding interest are Mazzocca, an intact medieval village, and the Palazzina Borghese.
Next, you find Capena, starting point of one of the most interesting archaeological sites of Latium: Lucus Feroniae, the ancient wood sacred to the goddess Feronia. The medieval town, perched on a tufa spur, has felt the Benedictine influence, which can be seen in the churches of S. Antonio Abate, Madonna delle Grazie and S. Leone. At the foot of the Soratte, stands Rignano Flaminio, which was first under Capena and, then, Rome, as witnessed by some archaeological finds. You should visit the Savelli fortress, the Theodora Catacomb, and the church of SS. Vincenzo and Anastasio. You can enter Sant'Oreste through three gates opened in the bastions defensive structure. Renowned is the Bonifazis organ (1638) of the collegiate of S. Lorenzo Martire that gives life back to the baroque music during the various festivals. Very interesting are the excursions on the slopes of the mount, with the ruins of Apollo and those of S. Silvestro lonely sanctuary. On a rise, overlooking the Tiber valley, stands Fiano Romano. You should not miss the guided visits to the castle, organized by the town. Again on the Tiberian Way, you reach Civitella San Paolo and Nazzano. The first was named after the monks of S. Paolo, who had a fortified castle built; the second was first ruled by Savelli family and only afterwards went to the monks. Of much interest are the visits of the Nature Reserve Nazzano-Tevere-Farfa, for which a Didactic Park has been prepared.
As a part of the Reserve is also Torrita Tiberina, a town, which appears as a village enclosed inside what remains of the Orsini Savelli Castle (XII century). A few miles from Torrita is set Filacciano, a centre that impresses for its peculiar urban perspective structure, typical of the XVII century. Another place to visit is the S. Egidio church, built by the monks of the Farfa Abbey. The last stop in the area of the Tiber Valley is Ponzano Romano, which is worth a visit for its medieval village built for defence purposes, together with the S. Andrea in Flumine Abbey about two miles from the town.
Not to miss:
Campagnano Romano Festa del Baccanale May, 5
Capena Il Vendemmiale First week of October
Castelnuovo di Porto Sagra della Polenta Third Sunday of October
Civitella S.Paolo Festa dei Canestri May, 11
Magliano Romano Sagra della Pecora April
Montelibretti Sagra dell'olio The first Sunday of November
Sacrofano Palio dei Rioni The second Sunday of May
Sant'Oreste Festa della Madonna di Maggio The last Monday of May
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