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Torricella in Sabina: a journey through villages, legends and flavours
Along the Way of St Francis the pilgrim comes across Torricella in Sabina, a village whose history echoes in the legend of the "Torre di Celia", where it is said that a countess died of starvation. Strolling through its lanes means crossing centuries of history, from the medieval arch that gives access to the ancient village to the cannon, a silent witness to the Second World War.
Castles and ancient Roman roads
The journey does not end there. The hamlet of Ornaro Alto preserves a fully intact medieval charm, with its castle long contested between the Brancaleone and Orsini families and a small church that holds a treasure: an altar fashioned from an ancient milestone taken from the Via Salaria. Not far away, Ponte Sambuco, an impressive Roman structure two thousand years old, bears witness to the importance of these lands since antiquity.
Creativity and flavours: the traditions of Oliveto Sabino
It is in Oliveto Sabino, however, that traditions burst forth in a riot of creativity and flavour. Here, in December, the Gnommero is lit up — a gigantic Christmas tree made entirely of crocheted and colourful wool "tiles". This event celebrates local craftsmanship and the olive oil just harvested. Spring brings the Sagra dei Vertuti, a festival celebrating the local pulse and grain soup, while summer is the triumph of Pizza Fritta, to be enjoyed sweet or savoury.
The villages and hamlets are freely accessible. For local festivals and celebrations, such as the Palio degli Orsini in July, it is advisable to consult local event calendars.
