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Castrocielo, the village in Ciociaria nestled in the Liri Valley
Castrocielo sits on the slopes of Monte Cairo, in the province of Frosinone, overlooking the Liri Valley. Founded in 996 AD, it lives halfway up the hillside, with roots in the Roman era and a calendar of festivals that continues to keep the whole village moving.
A castle in the sky, then the descent to the valley
The name says it all: Castrum Coeli, "fortress of the sky." The Benedictine abbot Mansone built it on the summit of Monte Asprano, at a height of 771m, to shelter the inhabitants of Aquino from Saracen raids. The problem was the lack of water, so families gradually began moving down to the valley.
What to see today
The old town gathers around the Church of Santa Lucia, built in a classical-Renaissance style with three naves and no dome, boasting two paintings by Alfonso Simonetti. In the hamlet of Villa Eucheria stands the Monacato, a former Benedictine convent with a cryptoporticus still intact, forming part of the Historic Residences Network of Lazio.
Festivals and traditions that bring the village to life
In late July the Palio delle Contrade (horse race and pageant) brings three days of celebration to the village streets. On Good Friday, the Passione Vivente (Living Passion) has been staged for over 40 years. On Easter Monday the Bacio delle Madonne (Kiss of the Madonnas) brings together Castrocielo and Colle San Magno: two processions climb up Monte Asprano from opposite sides, and meet at dawn in the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo (St Mary of the Assumption), where festivities continue with the traditional Pigne Pasquali (Easter Cake).
