Set on the hillside, gateway to the splendid gorges, Gole del Melfa that lead into the Comino Valley, the Switzerland of Lazio, the village of Roccasecca owes its fame to two illustrious characters, the great comedian Totò. Bearing witness is the piazza named after him and his statue which greets visitors at the railway station entrance. There is an unforgettable political rally scene with the Neapolitan actor playing the mayor of Roccasecca, in Il Medico dei pazzi (1957) and the parliamentary candidate Antonio La Trippa, originally from Roccasecca, in the film Gli onorevoli by Sergio Corbucci.
An illustrious figure from Roccasecca is the great Maestro and composer Severino Gazzelloni, internationally renowned flautist who was given the nickname “golden flute“ and to whom an international festival bearing his name is dedicated.
Founded in 994 by Abbot Mansone, it was rebuilt after the World War II bombings, which heavily hit the Ciociaria: today it is divided into four hamlets, Centro, Castello, Caprile and Roccasecca Scalo.
The most evocative places include the 10th-century remains of the Castle of the Counts of Aquino, with a magnificent 360° panoramic view of the valleys below and the so-called Casa di San Tommaso, in the medieval district of Castello, with a monumental pointed arch with the inscription THO(mas).
Also interesting is the Church of San Tommaso with 15th-century frescoes, while below the hill, where the ancient village stands, is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with a three-aisled nave.
Moving towards the historic centre of the village you can admire the Church and Convent of San Francesco, the Palazzo Boncompagni and Church of Santa Margherita .
Do not miss: the rupestrian Church of Sant’Angelo in Asprano and the Church of San Pietro a Campea.
Gastronomic specialties include the trippetta (tripe) and turnip soup, the roccaseccani broccoletti and DOP bell pepper, peperone cornetto.
For liqueur enthusiasts we suggest the rattafia, made from sour cherries, well-paired with desserts such as tesechelle or tozzetti, wine doughnuts and roccaseccane sfogliatelle made with ricotta and chocolate.