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Cerreto Laziale: the Colonna Village Perched on the Monti Ruffi
Cerreto Laziale is a village standing 870 metres above sea level, in the Ruffi Mountains, on the western slope of the Aniene Valley. The village is perched on a rocky spur that dominates the valley, in a strategic position that was able to control the passage between Rome and Abruzzo. The historic centre preserves its medieval layout: narrow lanes, stone houses leaning against one another, portals with noble coats of arms.
The Palace and the Colonna Family
From the 14th century Cerreto was a fief of the Colonna, one of the most powerful families of the Papal States. The Palazzo Baronale dominates the village: built in the 15th century, it has an austere façade with Renaissance windows and an arcaded inner courtyard. The Colonna family governed the territory until the 19th century, leaving traces of its passage in the churches and civic architecture. The palace today is privately owned, but can be see from the outside.
What Can Be Seen Today
The village is almost entirely pedestrianised. It is worth climbing up to the Church of San Nicola di Bari (St Nicholas of Bari), rebuilt after the 1915 earthquake, but with Baroque elements recovered from the previous building. From here the view stretches to the Simbruini Mountains and the valley. Cerreto is a starting point for excursions on the Ruffi mountains, with trails leading to Monte Costasole (1,426 m) and the high pastures.
