Andrea's guide - Surrondings
Visite turistiche
Calcata (locally Cargata) is a comune and town in the Province of Viterbo in the Italian region Latium, located 47 kilometres (29 mi) north of Rome by car, overlooking the valley of Treja river.
In the 1930s, the hill towns's fortified historic center was condemned by the government for fear that the volcanic cliffs the ancient community was built upon would collapse. Local residents moved to nearby Calcata Nuova. In the 1960s, the emptied historical centre began to be repopulated by artists and hippies who squatted in its medieval stone and masonry structures. Many of the squatters eventually purchased their homes, the government reversed its condemnation order, and the residents of what had become an artistic community began restoring the ancient town.
This trend has continued. Today the town has a thriving artistic community described in The New York Times as what "may be the grooviest village in Italy, home to a wacky community of about 100 artists, bohemians, aging hippies and New Age types."[4]
The historical centre now includes restaurants, cafes, and art galleries.
Address: SP 79 (strada provinciale 79) Faleria (VT) - https://goo.gl/maps/F8XYJyu26p93pXeB8
33 locals recommend
Calcata Vecchia
Calcata (locally Cargata) is a comune and town in the Province of Viterbo in the Italian region Latium, located 47 kilometres (29 mi) north of Rome by car, overlooking the valley of Treja river.
In the 1930s, the hill towns's fortified historic center was condemned by the government for fear that the volcanic cliffs the ancient community was built upon would collapse. Local residents moved to nearby Calcata Nuova. In the 1960s, the emptied historical centre began to be repopulated by artists and hippies who squatted in its medieval stone and masonry structures. Many of the squatters eventually purchased their homes, the government reversed its condemnation order, and the residents of what had become an artistic community began restoring the ancient town.
This trend has continued. Today the town has a thriving artistic community described in The New York Times as what "may be the grooviest village in Italy, home to a wacky community of about 100 artists, bohemians, aging hippies and New Age types."[4]
The historical centre now includes restaurants, cafes, and art galleries.
Address: SP 79 (strada provinciale 79) Faleria (VT) - https://goo.gl/maps/F8XYJyu26p93pXeB8
Lucus Feroniae was an ancient sacred grove ("lucus") dedicated to the Sabine goddess Feronia. It was located in Etruria, across the ancient Via Tiberina, in what is now the territory of the modern commune of Capena, Lazio, next to the border with the neighbouring comune of Fiano Romano.[1]
It was visited both by Latins and Sabines even in the time of Tullus Hostilius and was plundered by Hannibal in 211 BCE. In Imperial times it became an independent community receiving a colony of Octavian's veterans (Colonia Iulia felix Lucoferensis) and possessing an amphitheatre, capable of housing up to 5,000 spectators, a basilica, a forum, baths and numerous other edifices.
A museum houses parts of statues, some of them with interchangeable hands and heads, depending from the current emperor ruling.
The villa of the Volusii Saturnini is located nearby
Admission: free entrance
Opening time: 8:30 a.m. -7:30 p.m.
Closed: every monday, 1 january, 25 dicember
Address: Via Tiberina, km 18.500 – Capena - https://goo.gl/maps/Q5a3VXb5M3UQdmSq7
Archaeological Museum Lucus Feroniae
Km. 18.500 Via TiberinaLucus Feroniae was an ancient sacred grove ("lucus") dedicated to the Sabine goddess Feronia. It was located in Etruria, across the ancient Via Tiberina, in what is now the territory of the modern commune of Capena, Lazio, next to the border with the neighbouring comune of Fiano Romano.[1]
It was visited both by Latins and Sabines even in the time of Tullus Hostilius and was plundered by Hannibal in 211 BCE. In Imperial times it became an independent community receiving a colony of Octavian's veterans (Colonia Iulia felix Lucoferensis) and possessing an amphitheatre, capable of housing up to 5,000 spectators, a basilica, a forum, baths and numerous other edifices.
A museum houses parts of statues, some of them with interchangeable hands and heads, depending from the current emperor ruling.
The villa of the Volusii Saturnini is located nearby
Admission: free entrance
Opening time: 8:30 a.m. -7:30 p.m.
Closed: every monday, 1 january, 25 dicember
Address: Via Tiberina, km 18.500 – Capena - https://goo.gl/maps/Q5a3VXb5M3UQdmSq7
The Treja Valley Regional Park lies in the surroundings of Calcata, which also hosts the Park headquarters. This protected area, stretching for almost 650 hectares, is crossed by the Treja river and falls partially within the Municipality of Mazzano Romano.
The Park is open to visitors in all seasons, and throughout the year welcomes many tourists, attracted by this beautiful and evocative landscape, which offers a close contact with nature, and encloses the traces of the ancient Faliscan civilization.
This area is defined by the presence of the red tuff rock Ravines, a signature formation of the Afro Falisco territory. The Ravines are vertical rock faces of volcanic origins, covered in thick vegetation, which over time have been carved by the flowing of watercourses.
As has has done the course of the Treja river, creating a series of small and large waterfalls, particularly concentrated in the area of Monte Gelato.
During the Faliscan period, an important city centre rose in these lands: it was the town of Narce.
Three different settlements, all within the limits of the park, came under the city district of Narce. These were the town of Narce itself, Monte li Santi, and Pizzopiede. The wealth and influence of the area are demonstrated by a number of findings unearthed in the many necropolis spread throughout the territory. The majority of these relics have been displayed by both the National Museum of the Agro Falisco, and the Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome. The town of Narce is probably to be dated to a time prior to the foundation of the Faliscan capital city of Falerii Veteres, today’s Civita Castellana.
15 locals recommend
Valle del Treja Park
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele IIThe Treja Valley Regional Park lies in the surroundings of Calcata, which also hosts the Park headquarters. This protected area, stretching for almost 650 hectares, is crossed by the Treja river and falls partially within the Municipality of Mazzano Romano.
The Park is open to visitors in all seasons, and throughout the year welcomes many tourists, attracted by this beautiful and evocative landscape, which offers a close contact with nature, and encloses the traces of the ancient Faliscan civilization.
This area is defined by the presence of the red tuff rock Ravines, a signature formation of the Afro Falisco territory. The Ravines are vertical rock faces of volcanic origins, covered in thick vegetation, which over time have been carved by the flowing of watercourses.
As has has done the course of the Treja river, creating a series of small and large waterfalls, particularly concentrated in the area of Monte Gelato.
During the Faliscan period, an important city centre rose in these lands: it was the town of Narce.
Three different settlements, all within the limits of the park, came under the city district of Narce. These were the town of Narce itself, Monte li Santi, and Pizzopiede. The wealth and influence of the area are demonstrated by a number of findings unearthed in the many necropolis spread throughout the territory. The majority of these relics have been displayed by both the National Museum of the Agro Falisco, and the Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome. The town of Narce is probably to be dated to a time prior to the foundation of the Faliscan capital city of Falerii Veteres, today’s Civita Castellana.
Bracciano is a small town in the Italian region of Lazio, 30 kilometres (19 miles) northwest of Rome. The town is famous for its volcanic lake (Lago di Bracciano or "Sabatino", the eighth largest lake in Italy) and for a particularly well-preserved medieval castle Castello Orsini-Odescalchi. The lake is widely used for sailing and is popular with tourists; the castle has hosted a number of events, especially weddings of actors and singers.
The town is served by an urban railway (Line FR3) which connects it with Rome (stations of Ostiense and Valle Aurelia) in about 55 minutes. Close to it lie the two medieval towns of Anguillara Sabazia and Trevignano Romano.
Castello Orsini-Odescalchi
Construction began on the Odescalchi Castle in 1470. Commissioned by Napoleon Orsini and possibly designed by architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini, the Castle was completed in 1485 under the supervision of his son Gentile Virginio.
Over the centuries the mansion has undergone radical changes. Due to its strategic geographical position the most important noble families of Rome (the Colonna and Borgia) often fought bitterly for ownership of the Castle. In 1496 Pope Alexander VI Borgia even went so far as to confiscate it.
Admission: 8€/adult (guided tour)
Opening time: 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed: 1 january, 25 dicember
94 locals recommend
Odescalchi Castle
12 Piazza Giuseppe MazziniBracciano is a small town in the Italian region of Lazio, 30 kilometres (19 miles) northwest of Rome. The town is famous for its volcanic lake (Lago di Bracciano or "Sabatino", the eighth largest lake in Italy) and for a particularly well-preserved medieval castle Castello Orsini-Odescalchi. The lake is widely used for sailing and is popular with tourists; the castle has hosted a number of events, especially weddings of actors and singers.
The town is served by an urban railway (Line FR3) which connects it with Rome (stations of Ostiense and Valle Aurelia) in about 55 minutes. Close to it lie the two medieval towns of Anguillara Sabazia and Trevignano Romano.
Castello Orsini-Odescalchi
Construction began on the Odescalchi Castle in 1470. Commissioned by Napoleon Orsini and possibly designed by architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini, the Castle was completed in 1485 under the supervision of his son Gentile Virginio.
Over the centuries the mansion has undergone radical changes. Due to its strategic geographical position the most important noble families of Rome (the Colonna and Borgia) often fought bitterly for ownership of the Castle. In 1496 Pope Alexander VI Borgia even went so far as to confiscate it.
Admission: 8€/adult (guided tour)
Opening time: 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed: 1 january, 25 dicember
In the heart of the ancient Sabina region, at the foot of the Mount Acuziano, in a mystic atmosphere of silence all over the village, stands the Abbey of Farfa. Approaching the Abbey, which is surrounded by fascinating verdant nature, you can feel the morning fresh air heated by a bright sun.
The Abbey of Farfa is a very fascinating place, full of peacefulness and simplicity, as simple as the Benedectine monks who live in its profound spiritual atmosphere. Their ordinary life is devoted to God and the Holy Virgin Mary.
In 1928 the Abbey was declared national monument for its architectural and artistic beauty. With its thousand-year history, through periods of splendour and decadence, destructions and renaissance, the Abbey has remained a cultural and spiritual centre thanks to the founders S. Lorenzo Siro (St.Lawrence Siro) and S. Tommaso da Moriana (St.Thomas from Moriana) and the Blessed Placido Riccardi and Ildefonso Schuster.
Several kings, emperors and Popes (the latest was Pope John Paul II, 19th May 1993) have visited the Abbey throughout the centuries.Today thousands of visitors admire the cultural and artistic heritage, spending some time or even days in this peaceful place in order to rest their mind and soul. Refreshments and accommodation are provided.
Walking through the park and the gardens visitors can also admire the small old quaint village of Farfa, property of the "Filippo Cremonesi" founding, which includes the pretty houses and the workshops run by skilled craftsmen.
Address: Via del Monastero 1, - Fara in Sabina - https://goo.gl/maps/D8e14iNAchM9hQNS8
60 locals recommend
Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria di Farfa
1 Via del MonasteroIn the heart of the ancient Sabina region, at the foot of the Mount Acuziano, in a mystic atmosphere of silence all over the village, stands the Abbey of Farfa. Approaching the Abbey, which is surrounded by fascinating verdant nature, you can feel the morning fresh air heated by a bright sun.
The Abbey of Farfa is a very fascinating place, full of peacefulness and simplicity, as simple as the Benedectine monks who live in its profound spiritual atmosphere. Their ordinary life is devoted to God and the Holy Virgin Mary.
In 1928 the Abbey was declared national monument for its architectural and artistic beauty. With its thousand-year history, through periods of splendour and decadence, destructions and renaissance, the Abbey has remained a cultural and spiritual centre thanks to the founders S. Lorenzo Siro (St.Lawrence Siro) and S. Tommaso da Moriana (St.Thomas from Moriana) and the Blessed Placido Riccardi and Ildefonso Schuster.
Several kings, emperors and Popes (the latest was Pope John Paul II, 19th May 1993) have visited the Abbey throughout the centuries.Today thousands of visitors admire the cultural and artistic heritage, spending some time or even days in this peaceful place in order to rest their mind and soul. Refreshments and accommodation are provided.
Walking through the park and the gardens visitors can also admire the small old quaint village of Farfa, property of the "Filippo Cremonesi" founding, which includes the pretty houses and the workshops run by skilled craftsmen.
Address: Via del Monastero 1, - Fara in Sabina - https://goo.gl/maps/D8e14iNAchM9hQNS8
Offerta gastronomica
Nice restaurant specialized in sardinian cuisine, based mainly on fish. Fair prices.
Il Giardino Degli Ulivi - Ristorante
6 Via Monte CecchittoNice restaurant specialized in sardinian cuisine, based mainly on fish. Fair prices.
Another nice restaurant, mainly focused on classic regional dishes and grilled meat. Food commodities mainly zero-mile.
La casa dei Mulinari
18 Via Monte CecchittoAnother nice restaurant, mainly focused on classic regional dishes and grilled meat. Food commodities mainly zero-mile.
Panificio Francellini 1926
100 Via Provinciale Capena