Nerola, a small village in the Roman Sabina, whose houses cluster around the Orsini Castle, lies on the fifth stage of St. Francis Way.
Nerola – Facebook @proloconerola2021
Castrum Nerulae, the castle still enclosed within its original walls and preserving beautifully frescoed interiors, was founded in the 10th century by the Crescenzi Family and transformed into a noble residence by the Orsini in the 15th century. According to legend, the perfume of bitter orange blossoms captivated Marie Anne, wife of the Prince of Nerola so much that she created the famous Neroli essence. Today, the castle is privately owned.
Sunset over the Orsini Castle in Nerola
It is said that the name of the village would be related to the sanctuary of Nereine, the Goddess of strength, once worshipped here in Roman times.
Nerola
It is also assumed that Nerola would owe its name to the Emperor Nero. For this reason, the inhabitants chose as the town’s emblem his head encircled by the inscription “Comunitas Nerulae” on a silver seal. Nerola was founded on the pre-existing Roman settlement of Regillo, the birthplace of Atta Clausus, progenitor of the Gens Claudia, Nero’s family of origin.
The Fountain in Piazza Municipio – comune.nerola.rm.it
Nerola’s main attractions are the 1885 fountain in Piazza Municipio, the Pilgrims’ Hospice (today’s Sant’Antonio Hospital), and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and San Giorgio Martire, the patron saint celebrated on April 23 with the Palio di San Giorgio.
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta and San Giorgio Martire – comune.nerola.rm.it
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta and San Giorgio Martire was built in the late 15th century during the pontificate of Sixtus IV, at the behest of Duke Raimondo Orsini and restored many times over the centuries. Within its ancient inset altar, it houses an image of the Virgin of the Assumption.
Noteworthy is also the Church of San Sebastiano, which preserves a statue of the Saint, a 16th-century wooden crucifix, and an antique baptismal font bearing the Orsini family coat of arms.
Gnocchi with castrato (wether mutton) sauce – comune.nerola.rm.it
The main products of Nerola are the Sabina PDO extra virgin olive oil and the Ravenna di Sabina PAT cherry. Not to be missed are polenta with pork spareribs and sausages, celebrated with a festival in November, and the cicerchiole (grass peas) with beans. Other delicious specialities are the stracciose, traditional handmade egg pasta dressed with garlic, oil, and tomato and served at a festival in July, and the Nerolese fried pizza, celebrated in early August.