Country and City Itineraries in Rome and Lazio

Countryside Castles Medieval Borgoes Small Museums Local Folklore and Traditions

Castles Museums and Archeological Sites The area just south and east of Rome, known as the Castelli Romani e Prenestini, comprises a network of museums and archeological sites in several small historic towns. The twenty cultural venues are representative of the area’s rich historic, artistic and cultural heritage in: History and Archeology, Anthropology, Science and the Environment, Culture and Religion.

A unique opportunity for vacationing families and culture professionals alike to walk ancient trails, become acquainted with old traditions and visit small historic towns, churches and convents, medieval palaces, Roman aqueducts and imperial navy ships, a wine producing town and even a toy museum.

Country and City Itineraries Just a few kilometers from Rome you can go boating, windsurfing or canoeing on volcanic lakes, walk or bike in the colorful countryside, taste unique typical foods and experience the history, traditions and ancient culture among Etruscan ruins and in medieval castles.

Rome Today A trip inside the contemporary reality of the eternal city, visiting 20^th and 21^st century sites and museums. Your journey begins with the Rationalist style of the EUR and Foro Italico districts, through the working class areas from the Twenties and Thirties - Garbatella, Quarticciolo and Pigneto -, and the more recent architectural challenges, such as Renzo Piano’s Auditorium and Richard Meier’s “Dives in Misericordia” Church.

The Lakes Area As with most lakes in Lazio region Lake Vico is of volcanic origin; it is surrounded by cane fields and is horseshoe shaped. Mount Venere is 800 meters high, with several walking and biking trails. At the "well of the devil" - a semi-vertical grotto – there is a great view of the entire lake. Be on the lookout for foxes and wild boar! The coastline is great for bird watching, cycling and water sports - windsurfing, sailing and canoeing. Overlooking Lake Vico is Caprarola with a XVI Century Farnese Palace. The Sagra della Nocciola occurs here at the end of August; an opportunity to taste local chestnut sweets and ice cream.
 

Bolsena On the border of Lazio and Umbria, and between Viterbo and Orvieto, Bolsena is the largest volcanic lake in Europe. Excellent for water sports, it has English style gardens and wild nature. You can also spend time on one of the local fishing boats or cruise aboard a traditional Bolsena Lake boat, day or night. Among the trails that you can follow, the most intriguing is Sentiero dei Briganti used by smugglers and outlaws. Food lovers will enjoy a vast assortment of restaurants along the coast specializing in local fish rigorously accompanied by Bolsena olive oil and wines.
 

Bracciano This lake is located further south, between Rome and Viterbo provinces and close to the Lazio beaches. The three major communities around the lake are Bracciano, Anguillara Sabazia and Trevignano Romano. Overlooking the lake is the Orsini Odescalchi castle, famous for VIP weddings; this 15^th century structure is also a museum. Also nearby: the Air Force Museum with 60 planes and other equipment.

History Culture and Archeology Lazio Region gets its name from the Latini, a people who arrived in the area in the second millennium b.C. This Indo European population established itself on the Palatine hill and eventually expanded itself to the other six hills of Rome. The region was home to the Etruscans, north of the Tiber River, the Latins in the center, the Falisci in an area in between Etruscans and Latins, and the Capenati, an italic people heavily influenced in language and customs by the Sabines, the Latins and Etruscans.

Archeology Lazio is among the richest archeological regions in the world, with major Etruscan cities such as: Cerveteri, Tarquinia, Vulci, Veio and Volsini that peaked between the VII and V Centuries b.C. Our trip begins in Vulci, an ancient Etruscan city suddenly overwhelmed by the advancing tide of Rome; walking through the princely tombs of its Necropolis you will witness the glorious and lavish past of the Etruscan aristocracy. A majestic silhouette stands out in the background: the medieval castle of the Abbey, which towers over the Fiora river valley. Next, the Niki de Saint Phalle’s Tarot Garden, a unique theme park.
The first monasteries in Central Italy appeared around the year 529 and the founding of Monte Cassino Abbey. Lazio has several hilltop medieval borgoes, often containing museums and private collections.

Appia Antica A unique tour of the Appian Route, the “Regina Viarum”, walked by millions of people over the past two millennia. The “Via Appia” linked Rome with Southern Italy; along the way, you will discover monuments, clues about who built and owned them, and the Catacombs. Then, a rustic and appetizing lunch “al fresco” under a pergola.

Folklore and Traditions On August 5 it snows in the eternal city. Rose petals fall on the congregation in the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. This event is a re-enactment of the snowfall that took place on the Esquilino hill on this day in the year 352, when the Virgin Mary indicated to Pope Liberio the location where the church should be built.

Before dawn, every January 13, a large oak log is lit in Capena. As the flames embers all the citizens light up a cigarette; this very ancient tradition ends with a benediction of the animals and a parade of the local area horses dressed in vivacious colors. 
Viterbo celebrates Santa Rosa on September 4 with a procession led by a very large statue of the saint placed on an elaborate cart; the first one dates back to 1663. Also in Viterbo Province:

Marta In May, a procession of the Chiesa della Santissima del Monte: a wooden stand (the fountain) is carried by four holding an image of the Madonna adorned with fruits and flowers followed by the clergy and citizenry parading in groups representative of their trades.

A unique celebration takes place on August 15 - Ferragosto – in Oriolo Romano there is a long procession accompanying the statue of the Virgin Mary of the Star along the streets of this XVI Century medieval borgo, built as "ideal town" by the Church – an early example of a planned community! In the main piazza, a "rodeo" by maremmani butteri, the southern Tuscany cowboys.  On Fat Tuesday members of the Purgatory Fraternity, wearing black hoods, parade through Gradoli’s streets led by banner and drums, knocking on doors to collect food for the “Dinner in Purgatory” eaten on Ash Wednesday.

Tuesday is market day in Latina with new and used clothes bancarelle, home furnishing, fruits and vegetables. Best day to visit is the first Tuesday of the month when all the new and fresh stuff arrives! 

Frosinone A feast known as “Radeca” may have pre-Christian origins. Frosinone is a very old town and this event may have its roots in pagan fertility and procreation rituals. The long radeca leaf represents the agave, the ancient symbol of fertility. The event takes place on July 26 to celebrate an insurrection against the Roman Republic and the French army that protected it.

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