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Pratoni del Vivaro in Rocca di Papa: the equestrian plateau beneath Mount Cavo
Situated at the foot of Rocca di Papa, Pratoni del Vivaro is a large plateau shared by the municipalities of Rocca di Papa and Velletri. Bordered by Mount Artemisio to the south and Maschio delle Faete and Mount Cavo to the north, it can be reached via Strada Provinciale 18c. The area is a popular destination for outdoor picnics, horseback riding, and mountain bike trails.
The Federal Equestrian Centre
The plateau hosts the Federal Equestrian Centre, a hub for horseriders who come to train in its specialist facilities. The centre is permanently used for competitive events and professional training.
The Franco Fuligni Astronomical Observatory
The small hamlet of Vivaro (with around three hundred residents) houses the Franco Fuligni Astronomical Observatory, which has been active since 2000, and is run by the Associazione Tuscolana di Astronomia (Tusculan Astronomy Association). It is the first observatory in the Castelli Romani region to be permanently open to the public. Thanks to minimal light pollution in the area, Pratoni is one of the finest vantage points in the Castelli Romani for stargazing and observing the night sky.
