Lazio :: Sabina
Fifty kilometres north-east of Rome, following the eastern bank of the Tiber River and the Sabine Hills, lies the territory of Sabina. It is a magical land of castles, little towns connected by winding country roads, elegant restaurants and family run taverne, and breath-taking scenery wherever you go. Europe's oldest olive tree lives in the Sabina too (Canneto di Fara), at 2000 years old it still produces a heavy crop each year, not surprising as the Sabina is famous for it's olive oil. Hard to believe it's only an hour from Rome...
The ancient traditions of Sabina, entwined with religion and agriculture, can still be experienced during the many local fairs which are held frequently throughout the seasons. From early spring, to late autumn, medieval villages are filled with a festive atmosphere, culminating with beautiful fireworks. You can't miss these events if you want to taste the local gastronomic specialities. These are country style dishes, made with the area's first class agricultural products. Extra virgin olive oil from Sabina, with its DOP recognition, is the absolute ingredient in this cuisine; the olive tree has been a constant element of the Sabine landscape since the times of ancient Rome.
The Reatine Valley, with its Franciscan sanctuaries, Farfa Abbey, for centuries a witness to the power of the Roman Church, the Romanesque churches of Vescovio and Santa Vittoria, the archaeological sites and ancient Roman town of Trebula Mutuesca and Forum Novum as well as, the national parks, and the capital city Rieti are among the many attractions in Sabina. From here, along pleasant country roads, you can easily reach the lakes of Bracciano and Bolsena, and within one hour's drive, some of the most important artistic sights of central Italy, such as Spoleto, Orvieto and Assisi.
Most of our Sabina properties are only an hour's drive from Rome (or for the faint hearted you can always take the train). The best way to see Rome is to WALK! Rome is a large city, but in between bus or tram rides, see as much as you can on foot. Rome is famous for its piazzas and fountains. The best way to see these is as a pedestrian. If you really don't fancy walking you could a) opt for an inexpensive tour of Rome's historical sites by taking the 2-hour trip on the number 110 bus from Termini station at 2:30 pm (Monday through Saturday). b) Ride the bus or tram. Rome offers a network of more than 200 bus and tram routes, including 27 night bus routes. c) Get an integrated "Metrebus" ticket, which will allow you access to all the major modes of public transport within central Rome, with the exception of the airport link. You can get daily, weekly or season tickets.
Orvieto... Orvieto is a small city of great antiquity, so ancient that its early history is uncertain. It occupies a slowly crumbling butte of volcanic tufa, riddled with hundreds of caves, wells and tunnels of every period from Etruscan to medieval to 17c and later; slowly crumbling away as are many such hills in the area (the most famous of which is nearby CÌvita di Bagnoregio) and constantly maintained and shored up by massive engineering works. The city is known worldwide for one principal monument, the Duomo, the great glory of Orvieto and a masterpiece of Italian Gothic art. The basic building is quite sober, constructed of bands of black and white stone; but a most extraordinary facade has been applied to it: bronze dragons, gables with mosaics resplendent in gold, and a marvelous shirt-front of marble bas-reliefs by Lorenzo Maitani. Similarly the interior is very sober except for one large chapel entirely covered in dramatic frescoes by Luca Signorelli: famous in their own right, but also the chief inspiration for Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel...
Rieti occupies the geographical centre of Italy with a plaque in Piazza di San Rufo to prove it. In the days of the Romans this was a key region, the so-called Umbilicus Italiae. You may visit the Duomo and the Palazzo Vescovile. In the surroundings lies Greccio, a small town with a Franciscan monastery; here St. Francis created the first ever Christmas crib ñ a real life nativity scene is re-enacted every year. Known in ancient times as Reate, the Roman Emperor Vespasian (the man who built the Coliseum) was born nearby and his sons Titus and Domitian also considered this area the family home. Today's Thermal Baths of Cotilia are close to the ruins of Vespasian's. There is a restaurant in Rieti whose walls reveal the foundations of an ancient temple, and it is possible to visit the archeological remains under today's Via Roma, the Via Roma of 2000 years ago, which the ancient Romans walked, and which lead to the bridge which crosses the River Velino; the original Roman bridge's remains still visible below the modern bridge...
Farfa Abbey profoundly influenced the history of the whole of the Sabina area, having controlled, during it's "golden age", nearly all the nearby towns and villages. But it wasn't only important on a local level, in fact it was one of the most powerful Benedictine monasteries in Europe and played a major role in the power struggles between the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire, opposing the power of the Papacy for centuries. The role of the Abbey in conserving knowledge and culture and in spreading new technologies during a period of instability, invasions and depopulation caused by plague should not be underestimated. Farfa Abbey played a vital role not only in the religious and political life of the area but also in it's economic development. This is demonstrated by the importance of the Farfa Fair, which already existed in 882 AD Thanks to generous concessions from the Caroline Empire Farfa became a focal point for trade with an important weekly market.
