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The Meadows of Cottanello: the rural landscape of Sabina over the centuries
The Prati di Cottanello are located in the Sabine Mountains, in the Rieti area. Since 2021, they have been listed in the National Catalogue of Historic Rural Landscapes for their unspoiled nature, historical significance, and continuing traditional practices. They are divided into two areas: Prati di Sotto (Lower Meadows), at around 800m, and Prati di Sopra (Upper Meadows), above 900m.
Le Casette and the road to Rieti
At Prati di Sotto there is a now semi-abandoned shepherds' village: le Casette. The overall area covers about 1,000 hectares, within a broader area of 3,600 hectares, of which 2,400 are woodland and mountain pasture. The road running through them was for centuries the only route to Rieti from this side of the Sabina region. The road that now connects Cottanello to Contigliano only arrived in 1888. Before that, people travelled through woods and mountains, along drove roads and footpaths. St Francis walked these paths in the first half of the 13th century. Traces of his passage can still be found inside the Hermitage of St Cataldo, where a "TAU" is painted on the leg of the Byzantine-style Christ. This is the reason why Cottanello has become part of the Way of St Francis.
Sports and monumental Turkey oaks
Today the meadows are the perfect spot for a day outdoors. The Prati di Sopra are more extensive, and here you can also find monumental Turkey oaks, reaching up to 31m in height and an age of approximately 400 years.
