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Located in the most easterly part of Sabina in the province of Rieti and overlooking the Turano valley, Rocca Sinibalda presents a striking skyline from afar with its castle, which dates back to 1085, when it was erected by the local feudal lord of the time, Sinibaldo Sinibaldi, from whom the village takes its name. Rebuilt as a fortress by architect Baldassarre Peruzzi, it was adorned with decorative frescoes that partially offset its austere, Spartan style. Classified as a national monument in 1928, it was acquired by American writer Caresse Crosby in the 1950s, who adopted it as a meeting location for artists. Entirely restored as a manor house, it was reopened in April 2014. Nearby lies the Monti Navegna e Cervia Regional Nature Reserve, a protected area of approximately 3,600 hectares characterised by Apennine landscapes with beech and oak forests, centuries-old chestnut groves, high-altitude grasslands and deep river gorges. The area features the Salto and Turano artificial lakes and is surmounted by the limestone ridges of Monte Navegna and Monte Cervia heights. The outstanding combination of pristine natural surroundings, panoramic views and hiking trails marks the Reserve as an ideal place for those who love trekking, birdwatching and close contact with nature.
Close to Vallecupola (a small village located in the province of Rieti and in the municipality of Rocca Sinibalda, near Varco Sabino and Lake Salto), an area of unspoilt nature frequented by both locals and walkers, stands the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Pagaret, a place of reflection and meditation that has led to the creation of a dedicated trail. The small mountain parish church, located at 1,805 metres above sea level, features a bell gable with two small bells that can be rung with a simple chain. The sober and elegant façade features three small “eyes” arranged around the portal; the date 1679 is engraved on the lintel, evidence of its 17th-century origins. Behind the altar hangs a delicate image of the Virgin Mary, the centrepiece of local devotion.
02026 Rocca Sinibalda RI, Italy
