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Perched on a hillside at an altitude of around 660 metres, Cantalice in the province of Rieti, is a maze of stairways, narrow lanes and houses climbing up a slope, suspended between the natural landscape of the Monti Reatini and the blue of the lakes below. According to tradition, the place name derives from the contraction of two terms, one Greek and the other Latin – ‘catà’ and ‘ilex’ – meaning ‘near the holm oak’ – in reference to a tree that miraculously grew amongst the rocks behind the church of the Madonna delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace).
Cantalice is deeply linked to the figure of St Felix, the first saint of the Capuchin Order, born right here in 1515. The main church, situated at the top of the village and built in the 17th century on the site of his birthplace, is dedicated to him.
From the charming little square in front of it, there is an enchanting view over Lakes Lungo and Ripasottile. The sanctuary of “San Felice all’Acqua” is also named after Felix. It stands just outside the village, at the exact spot where the saint caused a spring to gush forth by striking the ground with a stick, to quench the thirst of farmers and shepherds. Even today, this place is a destination for pilgrimages, particularly between the end of August and the second Sunday in October, when ceremonies are held in his honour.
The history of Cantalice is one of resilience, as evidenced by its motto “Fortis Cantalica Fides”, earned during the centuries-long wars with Rieti, the end of which was celebrated with the construction, in 1572, of the church of the Madonna della Pace (Our Lady of Peace). Local historical events were also influenced by important European figures: in 1539, Emperor Charles V gifted the village to his daughter Margaret of Austria, thus giving it connections to far-reaching dynastic dynamics. Over time the village has undergone significant administrative changes, passing from the Kingdom of Naples to the province of Rieti in 1927, and has been marked by epidemics and raids by bandits.
Today, the village, crossed by the Way of St Francis (the Poggio Bustone–Rieti stage) and the Way of St Benedict, is an ideal destination for those seeking an authentic experience, immersed in the history and natural beauty of the Holy Valley. The spirit of Cantalice is renewed every year during the patron saint’s festival on 18 May, when the statue of St Felix is carried in procession through the village streets.
Among the local dishes, strengozze are a type of handmade pasta (made from water and flour) recognised as a Traditional Local Product of Lazio, served with tomato, garlic and marjoram, a local aromatic herb.
02014 Cantalice RI, Italia
