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Morro Vecchio “Tower”: the castle of the Lords of Labro hidden in the woods of Colli sul Velino
Torre di Morro Vecchio is located in Colli sul Velino, in the province of Rieti, surrounded by woodland on the edge of the Piana Reatina (Rieti Plain). It is all that remains of a medieval castle — a square tower measuring 6 x 6 metres, the walls of a few rooms, and the ruins of the church of San Tommaso de Grumulo. A site that few people know about and that was on no map prior to the 16th century.
The Castle
Castello di Grumolo — its original name — belonged to the Lords of Labro. In 16th-century maps it already appears as "Muro vecchio" (Old Wall), “Muro Vetere" (Ancient Wall) and finally "Morro Vecchio"
The flood and the 1928 photograph
On 5 December 1923 the river Salto was first linked to the river Velino river, causing a massive flood. A 1928 photograph shows the tower as a small island surrounded by water. That semi-lacustrine landscape lasted until the comprehensive land reclamation carried out during the Fascist era.
Archaeological investigations
The site has been studied — though only partially — by the University of Leicester, the British School at Rome, and the Sapienza University.
