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Palombara Sabina: the castle, the cherries and a ghost village on the outskirts of Rome
Less than an hour from Rome, in the Monti Lucretili Park, Palombara Sabina is a village full of surprises. Its skyline is dominated by the Savelli-Torlonia Castle, a fortress that has become a cultural centre. But the true secret of this territory lies in the balance between its local products of excellence — such as the Ciliegia Ravenna cherry — and unique stories, among them that of an entire ghost town just a few miles away.
Inside the Savelli-Torlonia Castle
The castle features rooms adorned with 16th-century frescoes attributed to the school of Raphael. The most curious detail, however, is the "Muro del Soccorso", a fortified passageway 83 metres long, built as a secret escape route in the event of a siege. Today it can be walked in its entirety — a true journey through time.
A ghost town and the taste of cherries
A short drive by car leads to Stazzano Vecchio. This is no conventional tourist attraction. It is a village frozen in 1901, the year an earthquake forced all its inhabitants to leave. Walking among its ruins is a powerful experience. Moving on to local food and flavours, the Ravenna cherry has been cultivated here for around a century, and is celebrated each June during the historic Sagra delle Cerase festival.
The Savelli-Torlonia Castle is open to visitors; it is advisable to check opening hours on the Municipality's website. Stazzano Vecchio is freely accessible. For a moment of relaxation, the Terme di Cretone thermal baths open on a seasonal basis, usually during the summer months.
