The origins of Bellegra date back to the 6th century BC., when, on the top of Monte Celeste settled the Equi, the Ernici and finally the Romans. There is a panoramic terrace with a view of 360 degrees between the Aniene River and the Sacco Valley, included the Ernici and the Lepini mountains and Mount Scalambra.
Bellegra
It was built on the ruins of the ancient Vitellia, which seems to exist since the 6th century BC. Evidence of its past can be found everywhere in the area, starting with the remains of the temple of the goddess Bona and the imposing Cyclopean Walls that surround the village and bring to mind the defensive systems, Opus Cementicus, cement buildings erected by the Romans. These are the ancient origins of Bellegra, which was called Cittadella from the 10th to the 19th century.
Sacro Ritiro di San Francesco
About 2 km from the town, at 815 m. above sea level, the Sacred Retreat or Convent of San Francesco stands in a dense forest of beech and chestnut trees. The origin of the convent is linked to the visit of Saint Francis of Assisi on his way to the Sacro Speco of Subiaco. It is said that back in 1223, Frate Francesco stopped to rest in the small original structure. He was so struck by the impressive setting, that he settled there with his friars. The original structure, small and narrow, underwent great transformations until, in the 17th century, Tommaso da Cori founded the Sacred Retreat. Further renovations of the sacred buildings then followed, especially on the occasion of the celebrations in honour of Saint Francis, with their intense message of spirituality, humility, peace and comfort . Today in the Sacred Retreat of Bellegra you can also admire, in a small Franciscan Museum, several historical finds of inestimable value, relating to the life of the Franciscan Community.
The visit of the church of San Nicola is interesting, decorated in stuccoes and dating back to 1671. It incorporates a 1200 church dedicated to Santa Lucia.
Arco Caves
About 4 km east of Bellegra we find the Arco Caves, a karst cavity almost 1000 meters long and up to 30 meters high. The natural cavity is extremely suggestive due to the stalactites, stalagmites and sinkholes. It contains remains of Middle and Upper Paleolithic fauna with traces of Mesolithic lithic industry, as well as anthropomorphic and zoomorphic paintings. They are called Arch Caves because at their entrance there is a natural stone arch.
Welcome banner to the “tacchie ai funghi porcini” festival
The Tacchie are a handmade pasta with water, flour and eggs. They are expertly prepared and then cut by hand into the typical irregular rectangle shape. The typical seasoning is with local meat or mushroom sauces, which grow in the territory. The Tacchie are celebrated in the first weekend of October.
Moments of the fallacciano festival
One of the most characteristic festivals of the Prenestina area is dedicated to the Fallacciano , the sweet and juicy fig, an excellence of this territory.