Cervara di Roma – Ph. ValerioMei/shutterstock
When we think of the capital of Italy, we cannot help but be fascinated by its incredible beauty. Of course, a visit to Rome è the dream of many, and indeed è among the things to do at least once in a lifetime, so that we have the opportunity’Italy with a guided tour from the Colosseum. This cityà è is full of monuments and places to visit, but its province also offers a number of picturesque villages, with authentic and traditional charm, that are well worth a visit.
Cervara di Roma
We can’t help but start our list of villages to visit near Rome from Cervara, which è the second highest municipality in Lazio, but è also famous for its artistic heritage. A truly enchanting place for many reasons, which è also known for being the Artists’ Village, or the Country Carved in the Rock. The reason? Throughout the ages, in fact, it has inspired many artists, including the composer Ennio Morricone and the poet Rafael Alberti.
We are talking about a’true wonder, a village standing still in time, whose visit inspires us and makes us daydream, unmissable for all tourists. This place, then, è dotted with rock carvings and offers breathtaking views. Among the main attractions are the Scalinata della Pace and the Scalinata degli Artisti, a scenic path adorned with sculptures, totems and images carved into the rock that dominates the entire village.
Ph. ValerioMei/shutterstock
Ariccia
An enchanting village just a stone’s throw from Rome? Impossible not to mention Ariccia, where art and gastronomy are practically joined by a double thread. Here we can practically appreciate the beauty of traditions, of genuineness;. Ariccia is not è a “new” village, but è quite ancient, and even dates back to the time before the founding of Rome.
One of the things to do and not to miss? Certainly the Sagra della Porchetta di Ariccia, held every year in September, exactly on the first weekend. The fraschette are also certainly worth a visit: small taverns, right in the Castelli Romani area, where you can eat typical cuisine.
Ph. stefano lucidi/flickr
Castel di Guido
This è a real gem in the countryside of Rome, between attractions and nature. An ideal destination for a trip out of town while è vacationing in the Capital of Italy. Several things to do and see in Castel di Guido, such as the Villa Romana delle Colonnacce, or even the’LIPU Nature Oasis, where there are several trails, ideal for slow tourism.
Ph. e-borghi
Nemi
.Could we possibly come on vacation to Rome and miss the village of Nemi, known for the Temple of Diana and wild strawberries? Well, sì, the Pearl of the Castelli Romani overlooks its namesake lake. Its history è truly fascinating, and to fully understand it we must take a dip back in time, precisely to the’era of Ancient Rome. Here stood a temple dedicated to the goddess Diana.
Today, Nemi è an idyllic place, loved by tourists and Romans seeking coolness during the hot summer days. In addition to the Museum of the Roman Ships of Caligula, the village offers breathtaking views and the chance to enjoy forest strawberries served with fresh cream. Not surprisingly, è known as the Strawberry Village.
Palestrina
Also Palestrina è absolutely not to be missed, a small town that offers a truly unique travel experience that takes you back in time. After all, we are still in Lazio, in Rome, where the Empire once stood. Here, it is precisely in Palestrina that we have the opportunity to visit some of the most important archaeological remains, including the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia, a sacred complex dating back to the Republican Era of Rome.
The complex, dominated by the Palazzo Barberini, houses an important archaeological museum of national importance. Like Nemi, Palestrina è is also quite well known for its production of strawberries, which are grown in the hamlet of Carchitti. For those who definitely love this fruit, it can be enjoyed between visits to the monuments.
Ph. Piwiyan/flickr
Ciciliano
For those who really want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Rome, we are about to suggest a breathtaking place, a real hidden treasure. Sì, we refer precisely to Ciciliano, a small ancient jewel that offers peace and tranquility and is protected by the Prenestini Mountains. No traffic, horns, excessive noise and close to the villages of Roccagiovine, Arsoli and Cervara di Roma.
It rises at 619 meters, and è in the Communità Montana dei Monti Sabini, Prenestini, Cornicolani, Tiburtini. The Simbruini Mountains Regional Park is also located in the vicinity of the village. Honorable mention, however, for the cuisine of Ciciliano, famous for polenta topped with snail sauce and classic Roman dishes. A feast of incredible flavors.
Ph. Benedicta Mary Lee/flickr
Canale Monterano
Are you a fan of ghost villages? You really cannot miss, then, a visit to the village of Canale Monterano, which è known precisely for being a ghost town. It lies among waterfalls and lush forests, where è you can also admire a castle, a church and a fountain designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Called to work in Canale Monterano in 1679, Bernini gave the village a new style. However, the village was abandoned at the end of the 18th century. Today, thanks to careful restoration, è it is possible to admire part of its past splendor. Extremely charming, it is located a few kilometers from Bracciano. We definitely suggest visiting it. You will hardly be able to forget it.
Ph. Andrea Boggia/flickr
Castel San Pietro Romano
È known as the most beautiful village in the Mediterranean, awarded exactly in 2019. It would have been a mistake not to include Castel San Pietro Romano in our list, a real jewel at the foot of the Prenestini Mountains. It undoubtedly looks like something out of a postcard, given also the typicality and influence of the style, with its stone houses, cobbled streets and small stores. But this is not the only reason it è famous.
Film lovers, in fact, will remember that it è was the set of the film “Bread, Love and Fantasy” starring the beautiful Gina Lollobrigida. Castel San Pietro Romano è an ideal place to spend a relaxing day. After all, we are still in the Cinema Country with a view that is nothing short of breathtaking.
Ph. Francesco Coccia/flickr
Capranica Prenestina
Here we are in yet another hamlet, this time known as the timeless hamlet. Sì, this magnificent place è stood still in time, a bit like all villages, which allow us to take a dip into the past. It is located right in the Prenestini Mountains, and here we can admire the Sanctuary of Mentorella.
Of course è known for the visits of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Both, in fact, chose to reach the shrine on foot, in an exciting walk through nature. Two aspects can be combined here: a spectacular view and a spiritual experience.
In the surroundings of Capranica Prenestina, there are several paths, actually, ideal for the so-called slow tourism. Among the hiking trails, we cannot fail to mention the Sentiero della Tradizione ai Castagneti and the Sentiero delle Creste. Perfect for those who cannotò do without immersing themselves in nature on vacation.
Ph. Marco Fabio Cossu/flickr
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