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Villa Santa Lucia: the village at the foot of Mount Cairo, history and hiking trails
At the foot of Mount Cairo, Villa Santa Lucia is a small village in Ciociaria that has a unique feature: Roman archaeological remains are embedded directly into the walls of public and private buildings. In the hamlet of Piumarola, one can find the ruins of a castle and, among the Roman vestiges, the Tabula Nundinalis: a stone slab that recorded public market days and indicated Piumarola as a commercial and artisanal centre.
Strammari, shrines, and local saints
Here, a traditional craft still survives: that of the strammaro. Stramma is a wild grass that is gathered, dried, and woven to make baskets, mats, and chairs. Few places in Italy still keep this tradition alive. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace, nestled in the greenery alongside the Convent of Sant’Angelo in Fortunula, was reportedly built after the discovery of an image of the Madonna and Child at the end of the 16th century. The feast is celebrated on July 2nd. Here you will also find the small Church of St Scholastic in Piumarola. According to tradition, the saint used to meet her brother St Benedict here. Every year around February 10th, a procession is held with her statue.
Walking trails, war, and certified peppers
The village is crossed by the Via Francigena (southern section) and the Way of Saint Benedict. The area was on the Gustav Line during the Second World War. In the summer, a typical product is grown in the fields around the village: the Pontecorvo "Cornetto" Pepper PDO (Protected Designation of Origin).
