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Belmonte in Sabina: the medieval village overlooking the Valle del Turano
Perched at 756 metres above sea level in the Sabine Hills, roughly halfway between Rome and L'Aquila, Belmonte in Sabina overlooks the entire Valle del Turano. The village has kept its medieval character intact: narrow lanes, stone houses built one against another, and stretches of ancient walls still standing. Its name derives from the Latin bellus mons — beautiful hill. This commanding position was no accident: the settlement served to control the transit routes between the Sabina region and Abruzzo, and in particular the “salt road”.
What to see
The Church of the Santissimo Salvatore (Most Holy Saviour), on the central square, houses a 16th-century fresco depicting St John the Baptist and a copy of Guido Reni’s Saint Michael the Archangel painting. A short distance from the center, the Church of Sant'Elena — documented since the 8th century — stands upon the remains of a small Roman shrine, of which marble architectural elements survive. The Convent of San Nicola (St Nicholas), attested as early as 1153, has remained intact despite its thousand-year history.
The Sagra del Turchetto
The village’s best known food festival is the Sagra del Turchetto, dedicated to the local traditional biscuit made with hazelnuts, flour, eggs and olive oil. It is the perfect occasion to discover the authentic character of the village and the flavours of the Sabina region.
