Tivoli

45 minutes

From Orvinio you need to go to Licenza and to Vicovaro to get to the mainroute A24 towards Tivoli.

Villa d'Este

The villa was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 and represents a unique example of an Italian garden. The building was designed by the architect Pirro Logorio who began the works in 1550 on commission from Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este, son of Lucrezia Borgia. The cardinal, frustrated because he had not been elected pope, wanted to build this palace to relive the glories of the courts of Ferrara, Rome and Fointanebleau and to see the magnificence of the ancient Roman Villa Adriana reborn.

As soon as you enter the building, you come to a staircase that leads to the reception hall. From here you reach the Noble Apartment famous for its late Roman Mannerist frescoes.

The villa is characterized by a beautiful garden full of fountains that create water theatres. Note the Fontana del Bicchierone - by Gian Lorenzo Bernini - the Fountain of the Birds, the Fountain of the Organ, the nymphaeums, the caves, the water games and the so-called "musical fountains" which enhance the harmonies of the water for create music games.

The Villa was almost completed when Ippolito d'Este died in 1572. After other interventions in the 17th century, a period of decline followed. It was Cardinal Gustav Adolf von Hohenlohe who revived it by hosting artists such as the musician Ferenc Liszt (1811-1886).

Acquired by the Italian State, the Villa was restored and opened to the public between the 1920s and 1930s.

For more information on tours telephone: +39 0774 332920 and visit website: https://www.visittivoli.eu/le-ville/villa-d-este&lang=IT

Villa Adriana

It is 11 minutes from Villa d'Este

Villa Adriana was the suburban residence of the Emperor Hadrian. It took about twenty years to build it: between 118 and 138 AD.

The emperor chose this location for his villa due to the abundance of water and its proximity to Rome (only 28 km).

The Villa is considered the queen of the imperial villas of ancient Rome for the imposing grandeur of the architecture, it represented a real city, spread over an area of about 120 hectares. It consists of a complex of classical buildings combining Egyptian, Greek and Roman architectural elements. In addition to the imperial palace, there were temples, libraries, theatres, baths, nymphaeums, the odeon, the arena, the academy and then parks, warehouses and accommodation for servants and garrisons.

In the Renaissance, Hadrian's villa represented an example of classical inspiration for the use of statues and water features.

Free admission on the first Sunday of the month. For more information: https://www.unesco.it/it/PatrimonioMondiale/Detail/132

Park of Villa Gregoriana

Villa Gregoriana in Tivoli allows you to take a walk of about a couple of hours through woods, paths, steps in the rock, waterfalls and the remains of the Villa of the Roman consul Manlio Vopisco, but also the Roman temples including the celebrated one of Vesta.

The park is the result of a hydraulic engineering project commissioned in 1832 by Pope Gregory XVI to contain the continuous flooding of the Aniene, channeling its waters into a double tunnel dug into Mount Catillo and then artificially increasing them, thus giving life to the 120-metre drop of the new Cascata Grande, which is the second highest in Italy after the Marmore.

The park suffered degradation and in 2005 it was reopened to the public thanks to the FAI. and today you can again walk the ancient paths freed from brambles.

Hours 10-18.30

For information, telephone 0774-332650 and website: https://fondoambiente.it/luoghi/parco-villa-gregoriana

Subiaco

45 minutes

Subiaco is about a 45-minute drive from Orvinio. Follow the Via Licinese towards Percile, then pass Licenza and arrive in Vicovaro on the Via Tiberina, where you have to turn left (opposite you can see the florist and butcher's shop, here you turn left). After one kilometer on the right you will find signs for Subiaco.

Monastery of San Benedetto

The Sanctuary of the Sacro Speco of Subiaco on Monte Taleo houses one of the most sacred places of Benedictine spirituality: the cave where the very young San Benedetto da Norcia lived as a hermit, following the example of the anchorite fathers, at the beginning of the sixth century.

The Grotta di San Benedetto became a place of worship as early as the 6th century, but the current structure was created only in the second half of the 11th century, which is characterized by the balance between nature, architecture and rock.

Today the Monastery is made up of two superimposed churches and many small chapels.

It is recommended to observe the first ancient existing portrait of St. Francis of Assisi, a pilgrim who reached Subiaco in 1223 following Cardinal Ugolino, the future Pope Gregory IX. The old refectory instead houses an extraordinary fourteenth-century fresco of the Last Supper, recently restored.

For more information: https://monasterosanbenedettosubiaco.it/monastero/

It is advisable to go on weekdays because on Sundays some parts of the monastery are closed for religious services.

Monastery of Santa Scolastica

The monastery is located at an altitude of 510 meters and for centuries it housed hermits and monks who dedicated themselves to contemplation and prayer. This is why the area is named "holy valley".

The monastery consists of a complex of buildings built in different periods and with different styles. At the entrance you can read the inscription "Ora et Labora" which leads to the first Renaissance cloister from the 16th century. From here you arrive in a second cloister, the "Gothic Cloister" of the fourteenth century and, finally, to the third, named "Cosmatesque Cloister", of the thirteenth century.

The bell tower is from the 12th century and the current church is from the end of the 1700s.

The monastery had its period of greatest splendor between the 11th and 13th centuries. In 1465 the two German clerics A. Pannartz and C. Sweynheym set up the first Italian printing press, which enriched the Library.

For more information: https://benedettini-subiaco.org/index.php/monastero-santa-scolastica

The small lake of San Benedetto and the villa of Nero

The San Benedetto lake is the smallest in Lazio and is located about 2.5 km from Subiaco, in the wooded Aniene Valley, within the Monti Simbruini Regional Natural Park. The lake is characterized by a thunderous waterfall and is located just a few minutes from the Monastery of Santa Scolastica.

On the same day you can also visit the two Benedictine Monasteries (Il Sacro Speco and Santa Scolastica).

For more information: https://www.lazionascosto.it/laghi-piu-belli-visitare-vedere/laghetto-di-san-benedetto/

Turano Lake

30 minutes

Lake Turano is a wonderful place where you can go for walks, water sports, a swim or simply spend a day under the sun.

For lunch we recommend the "Il Tasso" restaurant which has a splendid terrace overlooking the lake and serves typical products of the area, including gluten-free ones.

Restaurant "Il Tasso": Via Turanense, 26, 02020 Castel di Tora Rieti; Telephone: 349 534 9941

Colle di Tora

The town was in the heart of the Sabine people. In the Longobard era it was part of the stewardship Turano, then starting from the 9th century it took the name of Collepiccolo and depended on the important and powerful abbey of Farfa.

The village was fortified due to the frequent incursions of Saracens and Hungarians in the 9th and 10th centuries. In the 13th century Collepiccolo became part of the possessions of the Brancaleoni, a powerful family originally from Romagna who came to dominate Bologna.

At the beginning of the 15th century the lordship of Collepiccolo passed to the Orsini and in 1634 the feud was sold to the Borghese princes. For more information: https://www.turano.it/colle-di-tora-ri/

Paganico

This is the view of the lake from Paganico which is famous for the Sagne Strisciate saga in July and for the Chestnut Saga at the end of August.

Castel di Tora

Il Castello di Tora overlooks the lake and can only be accessed with a guided group tour. The visits take place on Sundays and public holidays at 10:30. To book, fill in the form at this address:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1o77bzbKR_-kOjsLcQvgAxfF_TndIJaUuZllahhss7B4/viewform?ts=60b35933&edit_requested=true

The route has a difference in height of 130 meters and is about 2 km long round trip. You need trekking shoes or at least trainers, a backpack, a bottle of water, and wear comfortable clothes suitable for the season (we are at 600m above sea level). You arrive at the ancient village of Autumni after following a panoramic road on the lake where you can see the ruins and reconstructions. You pass under the sixteenth-century bridge, pass under the entrance arch and arrive at the square, at the Palazzo del Drago up to the hermit's cave with devotional frescoes.

For more information:

https://camminandocon.org/escursioni/escursioni-guidate-borgo-di-monte-antuni-ed-eremo-di-san-salvatore/

Trekking from Orvinio to Castel di Tora

For trekking lovers, Castel di Tora can be reached on foot along the ancient "Cammino di San Benedetto" which passes by the Abbey of Santa Maria del Piano, then in Pozzaglia Sabina, flanking the western slopes of Monte Faito and crossing woods of conifers and beech trees offering a distant view of the blue of Lake Turano.

In the background the hump of Monte Navegna and then, to the south, that of Monte Cervia. Leaving the woods and intercepting the rather ruined mule track which follows the main and wide ridge for the most part, for the entire and long descent you will be able to admire the colours, the reflections and the different inlets that characterize this small and characteristic artificial lake. Here you arrive at the picturesque village of Castel di Tora, which is close to the "Il Tasso" restaurant.

Sports on the lake

You can do many outdoor activities on Lake Turano:

• Sailing trips and sailing courses
• Canoe, Kayak and Sup
• Pedal boat rental
• Water ski
• Wakeboarding and wave surfing
• Rental of umbrellas and deckchairs
• Bar and restaurant service
• Aperitifs on the boat on the lake
• Yoga classes on the lake shore
• Carp fishing

For more information:

 https://www.fragrancetour.com/italia/alta-sabina/attivita-acquatiche-laghi-turano-salto/

Percile and its lakes

To get to the center of Percile village it takes 15 minutes driving. You can go by car towards the lake but you need to be aware that it is not a paved street. Then there are about 30 minutes walking to the lakes of Percile. There is only one walking road so it's very easy to get there.

The old center of Percile

It seems that the name of "Percile" derives from the Roman gens Porcia.

The city was certainly inhabited in the Roman period and we know it from a marble stele of a girl of about 7 years of age on which various local characters are told.

In the classical Roman age the houses of Percile were grouped into Villae and Pagus.

The first certain news of the town dates back to 314 - 335 in the biography of San Silvestro I.

In the 10th century, castles were built around the town to help defend the surrounding towns.

The two lakes named "Lagustelli"

There are two lakes: the main one very easy to see and to reach and a second little one that you can reach walking in the woods.

You can not sweem in the lakes both for safety reasons and because it is a protected area for the fauna.

The largest lake, with a diameter of almost 120 meters, is called Fraturno while the smaller one, located a few meters away, is called Marraone. The lakes are surrounded by lush vegetation made up of willows, reeds and oaks. Of a certain importance is also the fauna composed of water snakes, amphibians, carp and tench.

Farfa Abbey

With a 40-minute drive from Orvinio you can easily reach the village of Farfa with its splendid abbey.

The Abbey

The abbey of Santa Maria di Farfa is a monastery that takes its name from the river "Farfarus" named after the Latin poet Ovid.

The abbey was founded between 560 and 570. It is said that its origin is due to the Virgin Mary who appeared in a vision to two historical figures.

Monk Thomas of Moriana had a vision of the Virgin while praying at the Holy Sepulcher, during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. She told him to return to Italy and to restore Farfa, and the Virgin also appeared to the Duke of Spoleto Faroaldo to command him to help the Monk Thomas of Moriana in this work.

Tommaso then became the first abbot of Farfa and he gave rise to the re-foundation of the monastic community. For more than a century the Frankish abbots governed it.

Charlemagne stayed at the abbey a few weeks before being crowned in St. Peter's on 25 December 800.

During the reign of Charlemagne, the abbey had the maximum building development, which modified its original structure so much that it has only recently been possible to rebuild it. In a few decades it became one of the best known and most prestigious centers of medieval Europe.

With the decline of the Carolingian Empire, in the Ottonian period, the abbey, which referred to the emperor and not to the Pope, embraced the Cluniac reform.

The monks of Farfa owned 683 churches or monastic communities, two cities (Civitavecchia and Alatri), 132 castles, 16 fortresses, 7 ports, 8 mines, 14 villages, 82 mills and controlled 315 villages.

All this heritage was an obstacle to religious life and during the Middle Ages the abbey was troubled by rivalries between the abbots and between political factions. During the investiture controversy, in fact, Farfa was on the Ghibelline side, while the monks gave their support to the Ghibelline party.

In 1268, the victory of the popes over Conradin of Swabia put an end to the Germanic rule in Italy.

The monastery entered the Cassino Congregation in 1547.

In 1861, after the annexation of this territory to the Kingdom of Italy, part of the assets were sold to private citizens. Count Giuseppe Volpi donated property and some land to the monastery.

In 1928 Farfa was declared a national monument.

Even today the Benedictine monks live in an atmosphere of profound spirituality remaining dedicated to their daily activities marked by the rule "pray and work".

Basilica architecture

The abbey is of the basilican type and has a Latin cross plan and three naves. The facade has a portal with a marble frame which is surmounted by a fresco painted lunette depicting the Madonna and Child being crowned by two angels between Saints Benedict and Scholastica. On the façade, surmounted by a triangular pediment, there are three rose windows, one in correspondence with each internal nave.

The interior of the church maintains the original structure and presents elements of the Baroque style, with the naves divided by two rows of round arches resting on Ionic marble columns. The Last Judgment by Dirck Barendsz (1561) is painted on the counter-façade.

The high altar is surmounted by the valuable ciborium which presents, on the cusp, the bas-relief of the Assumption of Mary.

The monastery

The monastery is organized around the cloister where many medieval pieces are exhibited, including a plaque relating to Abbot Sicardo (9th century), while medieval frescoes have been found at the base of the abbey tower.

There is a beautiful state library attached to the abbey where you can find many volumes (including manuscripts, codices etc.) which in difficult times did not go to other locations. Even a copy of Diderot's "Encyclopedia" is on display, demonstrating the cultural openness of the abbey center.

The village of Farfa

Around the abbey there are the characteristic low houses of the Borgo di Farfa with the pretty shops run by skilled craftsmen who sell fabrics, embroideries and ceramics.

For more information: https://www.abbaziadifarfa.it/

Morning 10:00 - 11:00 - 12:00

Afternoon (daylight saving time) 15:30 - 16:30

Monday closed

Tel (+39) 0765 277065

 

 

Licenza 

Licenza is a little village not far from Orvinio. You get there in about 20 minutes.

You can visit several churches and the Orsini Castle which was built in the Middle Ages and then renewed by the Orsini family in the XVII century.

Orazio's villa

The Villa of Orazio Quinto Flacco, Latin poet, is located about a kilometer after the historic center (from Orvinio) on the right side of the Via Licinese. 

The Emperor Mecenate gave it to him in 33 BC and here the poet devoted himself to his reading, philosophy and writing. The enchanting garden is well described by his words: "by the clear water of that little river with the few jugera of woodland".

Pro Loco telephone 0774 46 629 - www.prolocodilicenza.it

email m.vallati@tiscalinet.it

Address: Provincial Road 104a, 00026 Licenza, Rome

The Nymphaeum of the Orsini

Not far from the Villa di Orazio, within a walking distance, you can visit the Nymphaeum of the Orsini which was probably erected where once stood the ancient Fonte Bandusia of which Horace speaks in his verses. 

The nymphaeum consists of an architectural backdrop formed by small columns on the sides and a volute tympanum, with a semicircular basin on which the water from the spring which falls from a height of three meters collects.

Garden of the Five Senses

Along the route that goes from the center of Licenza to the Villa di Orazio, you meet the Garden of the Five Senses, a small organic garden created by the Monti Lucretili Park where you can stop to see, touch, hear, smell and taste the aromatic plants or you can stop for a picnic in the area equipped with tables and benches near the vegetable garden. Toilets are also available for non-ambulatory disabled people.

You can take a walk to go along the beautiful wooded path that runs along the Maricellina stream that flows towards Monte Pellecchia. The Garden is also an excellent observation point for the local fauna and for birdwatching.

Opening time:

from Monday to Saturday 07:30 13:00

from Monday to Wednesday 07:30 13:00 and 15:00 17:00

Sunday 09:30 17:00

For visits: 347 9239384 - 331 5459174

Address: Strada Regionale Licenese km 34,500, 500 meters from the Borgo

Oraziano Civic Museum

In the center of Licenza you can visit the Oratian Museum where you can see the archaeological finds collected on the site of the Villa di Orazio since 1911. There is also a collection of plaster casts of the main Doric frieze funerary monuments of Sabina, which includes elements architectural elements in marble, fragments of Corinthian capitals, stuccos and frescoes, fragments of floors and mosaics, sculptures and reliefs, ceramics, small objects of daily use and of personal ornament.

For information, ask the Municipality of License

Municipality of Licence

Via Don Minzoni, 12 - 00026 License (RM)

Phone +39 0774 46031 – +39 0774 469027

Civitella di Licenza

Not far from Licenza there is a small village called "Civitella di Licenza", reachable by car which is famous for its belvedere from which it is possible to observe the natural park of the Lucretili Mountains.

In the center there is also a 1902 fountain from the Pavanello spring. You can visit the Church of S.S. Filippo and Giacomo and the streets of the center where the inhabitants decorate the exteriors of the houses with beautiful plants and flowers.

Address: Via Colle Nuovo, Hamlet of Civitella - 00026 License (RM)

The Eagle's Nest

Trekking enthusiasts can leave from Civitella di Licenza to reach the "eagle's nest" on Monte Pellecchia. This video shows the route.

The Castle of Rocca Sinibalda

Rocca Sinibalda is the ideal destination for a day trip and it is about half an hour driving far from Orvinio.

The Cesarini Castle

The city is one of the most beautiful villages in the Reatino area, it is situated on a rocky outcrop in a position overlooking the Turano Valley and you can take a beautiful walk along via degli Archi and via Sole, on the route around the walls of the castle which dominates the center of the city.

Cesarini Castle is actually a palace that also functions as a defensive fortress: it was erected in 1060 as a Longobard Tower by the Count Sinibaldo, who is a direct descendant of Charlemagne.

The castle was completely redesigned by the Renaissance architect Baldassarre Peruzzi in 1532-36 when Cardinal Alessandro Cesarini fled from Rome and came to take refuge in Rocca Sinibalda. The castle had to be, in his intentions, a fortified fortress and a villa at the same time.

Baldassarre Peruzzi wanted the castle to have the shape of a scorpio, but this wasn't an acceptable image for the Cesarini family. So they asked an intellectual personlity of that time to proclamate that the shape was in fact an eagle. So from that time it is considered so.

In the castle it is necessary to visit in particular the most important Renaissance frescoes of the Sabina, which are located on the ground floor and on the main floor, and the eighteenth-century pictorial representations of the Castle and its territory present in the Great Hall.

The castle has a front spur, some hanging gardens, some bastions and, from via degli Archi, a side street starts which leads to the small square over which the rear of the building looms, designed by Peruzzi himself and which had the function of controlling with the his cannons the cliffs and the surrounding valley.

You can make an independent visit of the walls and of the city while you have to book to visit the castle with a guide on the telephone number +39 06 44233634.

Cost of the guided tour – 14 euros

Duration of the visit 1.30 – 2.00 hours

Click here for more information!