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The winter could be the right moment to experience the cordial atmosphere of the small medieval villages of Lazio. In some cases you will probably feel like being part of a Christmas Crib!
A visit to one of the many medieval and Renaissance Castles and a taste of regional cusine sounds a perfect idea for a day or a week-end out of the busy City...
BRACCIANO
Begun in 1470 by the Orsini family and situated in an imposing position high above lake Bracciano. Open everyday except Monday. Guide obligatory.
MONTENERO SABINO
Another Orsini stronghold from the middle ages. The whole town forms the Castle area with houses on either side of the single narrow main street acting as part of the city's
defences.
MONTE S. GIOVANNI CAMPANO
Called Castelforte, this was one of the most fortified castles in Lazio. Built between the XI and XIII centuries, the central tower dominates the hillside. It was here that Thomas Aquinus was imprisoned. It is now a resturant.
NEPI
Built by the Borgia on a high escarpement, the Castle is defended on two sites by a deep ravine. It was deigned by Sangallo and the drawings are now preserved in the Uffizi.
ROCCA SINIBALDA
A splendid Renaissance Castle built according to planes by Baldassarre Peruzzi for Cardinal Alessandro Cesarini. Although main rooms decorated in the XVII century can be visited, this are more often used for wedding receptions.
SUBIACO
Situated among the Benedictine abbey buildings, the Castle is richly decorated with frescoes and antique columns taken from Nero's Villa. Also of interest is the waterclock in the Borgia Tower
VALENTANO
The Renaissance Castle now been restored was the birthplace of Alessandro Farnese, later Pope Paul III. Now a musium of medieval ceramics.
CIVITA CASTELLANA
The older medieval complex was complitely remade in the Renaissance by Giuliano and Antonio da Sangallo and is one of the finest examples of XVI century military architecture.
GROTTAFERRATA
In 1473 Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, the future pope Giulius II, decided to fortify the ancient fortified abbey. The work was given to Baccio Pontelli, the architect of the Sistine Chapel. Inside there are late mannerist frescoes by Taddeo Zuccari. The Castle is now a museum of ancient and medieval sculpture. The library of the monastry is of particular interest.
SAN GREGORIO
The medieval castle of the Brancaccio Family was begun in the X century and restored in the XVII and XIX centuries. Crossing a drawbridge one enters the scenic medieval complex to be explored by foot.
GETTING THERE:
BRACCIANO:
1. Train fromStazione Trastevere and Stazione San Pietro
2. Coach from Lepanto
MONTENERO SABINO:
1. Train from Tiburtina Stn. to Fara Sabina then Coach to Passo Corese (get off st Montenero)
2. Coach from Tiburtina to Rieti and then Coach to Montenero
MONTE S.GIOVANNI CAMPANO:
Coach from Stazione Anagnina to Sora. Get off at the fork for M.te S. G. Campano and then take the local bus to the village.
NEPI:
Train from Stazione Flaminio to Saxa Rubra, then Coach to Nepi
ROCCA SINIBALDA:
Coach from Tiburtina to Rieti + Coach Rieti to Rocca Sinibalda
SUBIACO:
Coach from Stazione Rebibbia
VALENTANO:
Train from Stazione Flaminio to Saxa Rubra, then Coach to Valentano
CIVITA CASTELLANA:
Coach from Saxa Rubra
GROTTAFERRATA:
Coach from Stazione Anagnina (Terminus Metro line A)
S. GREGORIO DA SASSOLA:
Coach from Rebibbia (Terminus Metro line B)
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