Ciciliano’s origins date back to the Middle Ages, but as early as Palaeolithic times the area was inhabited by small hunting tribes, then by the Suffenates and then by the Romans.
Since the 2nd century B.C. Ciciliano is a tiny ancient jewel, perched and sometimes hidden in the fog, with alleys, stairs, small squares, houses and stone portals leading to Theodoli Castle, in the highest part of the village. It is a majestic medieval construction, remodelled several times until it took on its current appearance with the interventions of the Theodoli family, characterised by its different towers, two beautiful hanging gardens, the roundabout, and the inner chapel.
Girolamo Theodoli, of the Counts of Ciciliano, inherited the governance of the town from his father and as architect designed the Church of the ‘Madonna della Palla’. In Rome, he designed, among other things, the façade of the Argentina Theatre (1732), and the Basilica of Santa Maria in Montesanto, better known as the Church of the Artists (1758) in Piazza del Popolo.
Among the most interesting buildings are the 16th-century Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo, which overlooks Piazza Maestro, and the beautiful Church of Santa Liberata, which houses a beautiful cycle of frescoes by the school of Antoniazzo Romano in the apse area.
The Madonna della Palla Church and the majestic Theodoli Castle are two of the most charming places we recommend you visit. Of great importance is the archaeological area Trebula Suffenas, at Ponte della Fortuna, the city of the Suffenates, people of the Equi, and then the Roman Town Hall, with thermal baths and villas with mosaics so precious that they are now kept at Villa d’Este in Tivoli.
A typical dish of the village is sagne con sugo finto, seasoned with sheep gravy; other specialities include honey, truffles, gnocchi ‘ncati with celery gravy, polenta with snail gravy, and pontega, similar to polenta.
The events calendar is very rich indeed, and here are some of the festivals scheduled throughout the year: the Festa dell’Inchinata, the Festa della Panarda, the Festa di Santa Liberata in August, and the long-awaited Sagra delle sagne in September.