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Anticoli Corrado: The Village Where Art and Beauty Meet
Perched high up in the Ruffi Mountains overlooking the Aniene Valley, Anticoli Corrado is no ordinary village. For over a century and a half it has been known throughout the world as "The Town of Artists and Models", a magnet for creatives and intellectuals captivated by its timeless atmosphere and the beauty of its inhabitants.
The Muse of the Roman Countryside
It all began in the 19th century, when painters from northern Europe, in search of the authentic atmosphere of the Roman countryside, discovered this medieval jewel. They were captivated not only by the labyrinth of alleyways, arches and noble doorways — bearing witness to the presence of families such as the Colonna and the Barberini — but above all by the charm of the local women. Before long, the women of Anticoli became true professional models, much sought after beyond the village. Their faces are still immortalised today in paintings and frescoes scattered throughout the region. This artistic tradition continued into the 20th century, attracting figures of the calibre of Oskar Kokoschka, Luigi Pirandello and Ignazio Silone.
A Village With a First Name and a Surname
"Our village has a first name and a surname", the inhabitants like to say with pride. The origin of the name is indeed a story within a story. The toponym Anticulum, of Roman origin, was developed by Benedictine monks. The "Corrado" was in honour of Conrad of Antioch, a descendant of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who in the 13th century was the Count of these lands.
Art, History and Flavours
Apart from its pervasive charm, Anticoli Corrado boasts specific treasures, such as the ancient Church of San Pietro (St Peter, 11th century), the majestic 17th-century Palazzo Baronale and the charming Piazza delle Ville, with its fountain sculpted by Arturo Martini. The bond with art is celebrated in the Civic Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. But the experience is not complete without a taste of the rich gastronomic tradition: from the typical "cazzaregli" (a pasta made from wheat and maize) to sweet or savoury fried pizzas, right through to fragrant anise doughnuts.
