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Rieti - View
The ancient capital of Sabina and its territory are set in a beautiful mountainous scenery, with many sites bearing witness to the presence of St. Francis of Assisi in this area.
The Rieti province is located in Lazio, in central Italy, on the slopes of the Sabini and Reatini mountains and is a mostly mountainous area. An important centre since ancient times, in Rieti there is evidence of both Roman and medieval activity, when the city became a Libero Comune (free city-state) and later the residence of the Popes.
Surrounded by Reatini mountains and overlooked by the top of the Terminillo, Rieti is the ideal starting point for excursions and visits to a territory which is rich like few others in protected natural oases, castles, fortresses and Franciscan sanctuaries.
Outstanding is the Riserva Naturale dei Laghi Reatini (Reatini Lakes Nature Reserve), a place of natural relevance with the lakes Lungo and Ripasottile, where the flora and fauna are protected and birds like heron and little grebe are easily spotted.
The area is rich in watercourses, including the rivers Velino, Salto and Turano and numerous lakes that dot the territory. These include the Lago del Salto, the largest artificial reservoir of Lazio located about 535 metres above sea level, considered the most attractive due to the lush vegetation and the towns that surround it. Also in this area you will find the Turano and Scandarello lakes, immersed in the scenery of the Monti della Laga, in the valley of Amatrice.
In short, history, archaeology, nature, good food, sports and relaxation.
Rieti was the last province to be annexed to Lazio in 1927 and boasts a record: according to tradition, given its geographical position, this city is considered the navel of Italy, and a monument in the centre of the town is a reminder of that.
The centre is the most ancient part of the city and is spread around the central hub of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, with the Fontana dei Delfini (Fountain of the Dolphins). Just opposite there is the Palazzo Comunale, with its original structure of the 13th century partly occupied by the Museo Civico, where archaeological finds dating from the ninth century BC to the late Roman period are kept as well as paintings dating from the 14th century to those of contemporary times.
Facing the nearby Piazza Battisti is the Palace of the Prefecture, of Renaissance architecture, from whose garden one can enjoy a beautiful view over the oldest part of town and the surrounding mountains. The Duomo (Cathedral) was built around 1100, but reconstructed in later times. Next to it stands a bell tower. Next to the Cathedral is located the Palazzo Vescovile (Bishop's Palace), built in the 13th century. Just just before it is a monumental loggia and a courtyard that lead to the spectacular Salone Papale.
To the north of the building there is the Arco del Vescovo (Bishop’s Arch), a flyover dating back to the late thirteenth century, built by Boniface VIII. In Via Roma there is Palazzo Vecchiarelli, by Carlo Maderno, and beside it the Romanesque church of S. Pietro Apostolo (S. Peter the Apostle). Noteworthy is also Palazzo Vicentini, one of the most interesting buildings, attributed to Sangallo.
Once crossed the Bridge Velino, under which runs the river of the same name, one encounters the Monumento alla Lira (Monument to the Lira), which was unveiled in 2003 and made by the fusion of more than 2.2 million old 200-lira coins, collected for the occasion. And finally there's underground Rieti where, under some mansion houses in the city centre, one can visit the remains of the ancient Roman viaduct built in the third century BC.
For lovers of archaeology, the area offers itineraries to follow on the trail of antiquity, which wind along the valley of the Tiber, to Collevecchio, Cottanello, Torri in Sabina and Vacone and the valley of Turano in Monteleone, Paganico, Rocca Sinibalda, with its castle in the shape of an eagle; Turania, where a treasure was brought to light dating back to the early decades of the first century AD.
Also of great interest are the valleys of the Velino and Tronto, with Cittaducale and his Angevin Tower; Castel Sant'Angelo, Borgo Velino, with the eighteenth-century Parrocchiale di S. Matteo (Parish Church of St. Matthew); Antrodoco with its Duomo, and Amatrice with the Roman-Gothic church of St. Francis and the church of St. Augustine with frescoes dating back to the end of the 15th century.
Very impressive is a visit to the Franciscan sanctuaries that mark the stops of the Saint Francis Walk in the Rieti valley beloved by the Saint. Among these, the Sanctuary of Fonte Colombo with the church, the monastery and the cave, the Sacro Speco, where according to tradition, St. Francis, after retiring in meditation wrote the rules of the Franciscan order; the Sanctuary of Greccio, remembered as the place chosen by St. Francis for the first commemoration of the Nativity in Bethlehem and is included, along with the surrounding borough, in the Unesco World Heritage list. Finally comes the Sanctuary of Poggio Bustone, remembered as the departing point of the Franciscans’ peace mission
Fortresses and castles are the other attraction of the province, full of historical sites. Among those deserving to be mentioned, Macchiatimone in Pescorocchiano, with the remains of its medieval castle; the fortress of the Castle of Corvara in Borgorose, dating from the tenth/eleventh century; the Castle of Collalto; Torre del Castello Postmontem in Fara in Sabina, where also deserving of a visit is the Abbazia di Farfa (Abbey of Farfa), considered one of the most important artistic and historical monuments of the province.
A province that offers so much on the artistic and natural side, it is of no less interest for those seeking recreation or relaxation.
Winter sports take place on the Terminillo and Leonessa mountains, equipped with facilities for people who love skiing. For hiking enthusiasts, there are many nature trails to follow on the routes between mountain peaks and grassy valleys, from where one can also enjoy fine views over the valleys of Rieti and Leonessa. The valleys around Rieti are also ideal for sports such as hang gliding, paragliding and parascending.
The configuration of the area makes it also suitable for lovers of mountain biking and trekking, particularly on the Monti della Laga in the area of Amatrice, in Upper Sabina.
For those who enjoy relaxation and wellness, Rieti and the Sabina area offer several spas, such as those in Cotilia, named after the homonymous pre-Roman city, baths appreciated by the ancient Romans; the Parco delle Terme di Fonte Cottorella is an oasis of peace and serenity, where the mineral waters of the springs are often used in the treatment of certain conditions; and the Baths of Antrodoco, in a territory rich in sulphurous waters.
Finally we come to feasts and festivals. The festival dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua is a heartfelt celebration that has been taking place for six-hundred years in the old town of Rieti, with a procession through the streets of the centre and the display of the simulacrum with the statue of the saint and candles.
In Antrodoco the Sagra degli Stracci takes place (Festival of rags), during which on can taste local culinary specialities. The Festa della Madonna della Neve e del Toro Ossequioso (Festival of Our Lady of the Snow) is held in Posta, where a man rides a harnessed bull and brings it before the church of Santa Maria Assunta, where it will be made to kneel three times.
Evocative is the commemoration of the first Presepe vivente (living Nativity scene) in Greccio, during Christmas, where over a hundred participants re-enact an historic event dating back to 1223 and inspired by St. Francis of Assisi. Then there is the Festa Dolce Primavera (Sweet Spring Festival) in Castel Sant'Angelo, where ten municipalities compete for the preparation of the most delicious desserts. Many also the carnival festivities, with parades of floats in Amatrice and Magliano Sabina.
This land offers numerous products for a savoury cuisine characterized by intense flavours. Local products range from potatoes of Leonessa, beans, spelt, and DOP olive oil which has been produced in Sabina since the 7th-6th century BC.
The presence of forests means that among the local produce there are chestnuts, especially from Antrodoco, mushrooms, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, juniper and white and black truffles.
The long tradition of farming produce fresh, salted or seasoned cheese, like ricotta made with goats' milk; the Fiore Molle from Leonessa, flavoured with saffron; and pecorino from Amatrice, less pungent and sour. Finally, there are the sausages from Leonessa and Amatrice and the dry sausages from Rieti.
All these products are used for the production of typical local dishes. These include the stracciatelle in brodo (stracciatelle soup); spaghetti all'amatriciana; pollo alla diavola; stracci di Antrodoco - thin pancakes filled with meat sauce and cheese; stufatine garofolate, spezzatino di pollo (chicken stew), agnello in guazzetto (lamb stew); porchetta di Poggio Bustone.
As for the sweets, terzetti alla reatina are soft biscuits made with honey and nuts; the copeta, made with honey and nuts between bay leaves; and finally the pizza di Pasqua (Easter pizza).
Among the wines we recall the Colli della Sabina Doc in white, red and rosé. This land offers numerous products for a savoury cuisine characterized by intense flavours. Local products range from potatoes of Leonessa, beans, spelt, and DOP olive oil which has been produced in Sabina since the 7th-6th century BC.
The presence of forests means that among the local produce there are chestnuts, especially from Antrodoco, mushrooms, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, juniper and white and black truffles.
The long tradition of farming produce fresh, salted or seasoned cheese, like ricotta made with goats' milk; the Fiore Molle from Leonessa, flavoured with saffron; and pecorino from Amatrice, less pungent and sour. Finally, there are the sausages from Leonessa and Amatrice and the dry sausages from Rieti.
All these products are used for the production of typical local dishes. These include the stracciatelle in brodo (stracciatelle soup); spaghetti all'amatriciana; pollo alla diavola; stracci di Antrodoco - thin pancakes filled with meat sauce and cheese; stufatine garofolate, spezzatino di pollo (chicken stew), agnello in guazzetto (lamb stew); porchetta di Poggio Bustone.
As for the sweets, terzetti alla reatina are soft biscuits made with honey and nuts; the copeta, made with honey and nuts between bay leaves; and finally the pizza di Pasqua (Easter pizza).
Among the wines we recall the Colli della Sabina Doc in white, red and rosé.
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