Ponzano Romano is a village in the heart of the Tiber Valley, hosting the AmenCutti, the first first Christmas Museum in Italy.
Ponzano Romano and the Tiber River
The village developed on the right bank of the Tiber River, while the Sabines settled on the left one.
The Abbey Palace – comune.ponzanoromano.rm.it
In the old part of town stands the Rocca, turned into the Abbey Palace in 1688 by Cardinal Paluzzo Altieri.
Nearby stands a 17th-century votive shrine dedicated to the Nativity of the blessed Virgin Mary. She is celebrated with a centennial Feast on September 8, when the shrine is decorated with flowers and a procession winds through the illuminated alleys.
The Church of San Nicola di Bari – comune.ponzanoromano.rm.it
The Church of San Nicola di Bari preserves some works coming from the Monastery of Sant’Andrea in Flumine, such as a precious silver reliquary by Rainerius Teramnese and the 16th-century triptych of the SS. Salvatore delle Grazie.
On December 6, a procession dedicated to the Patron Saint Nicola di Bari is held, along with the Bruschetta Festival and the Festa della Zitella (a young unmarried woman).
The Abbey of Sant’Andrea in Flumine – comune.ponzanoromano.rm.it
San Benedetto di Sant’Andrea is said to have lived in the Complex of Sant’Andrea in Flumine. The Abbey and the Church, whose name derives from the Tiber River, stand on pre-existing Roman ruins. The church was founded in the 6th century by Galla, daughter of Symmachus, while the monastery was built in the 8th century by Charlemagne, brother of Pepin the Short and, from 747 a monk in Soratte.
The Abbey of Sant’Andrea in Flumine – comune.ponzanoromano.rm.it
The interiors of the Abbey feature beautiful frescoes, granite columns with Ionic and Corinthian capitals, and a Cosmatesque floor. The belfry was once a tower erected on the city walls in the 10th century.
The Feast of San Sebastiano – Facebook @Confr. San Sebastiano di Ponzano Romano
The Feast of San Sebastiano takes place in Ponzano Romano on January 20 and on the first Sunday of June, the anniversary of the martyr’s death. During a religious procession, participants offer to him bundles of candles tied with coloured ribbons.
A local delicacy is the Ciambella di Ponzano PAT, a savoury doughnut with a sugar glaze cooked in extra virgin olive oil.
The AmenCutti, the Christmas Museum – Facebook @AmenCutti
Ponzano Romano also hosts AmenCutti, the first Italian Christmas Museum, founded by the Italian Christmas Association. Along Via XX Settembre, visitors will be able to discover curious shops and historic buildings, as well as the Tree of Good Intentions, the life-size Nativity Scene, the Soap Bubble Bear, and Santa’s Office and Living Room with its Wishing Arch.
The AmenCutti Christmas Museum – Facebook @AmenCutti
The outdoor Christmas decorations can be admired for free, while the entrance ticket can be purchased on the dedicated website.
A panoramic view of Ponzano Romano
Ponzano Romano is the birthplace of Agostino Tassi, the renowned painter born here in 1886. He created numerous prestigious works, now on display in the Palazzo del Quirinale, Palazzo Lancellotti, Cappella Paolina, and Palazzo Doria Pamphilj in Rome.