Villa San Giovanni in Tuscia, one of the smallest villages in Lazio, adorned with curious artistic tiles and installations, lies nestled between two hills on the Cammino dei Tre Villaggi.
Villa San Giovanni in Tuscia – Facebook @comunedivillasangiovanniintuscia
Founded in 1300, it boasts Etruscan and Roman archaeological remains, such as a large Roman villa from the third century AD, which preserves mosaics and a part of the walls. In the shade of olive, chestnut, and turkey oak trees, lie the Etruscan necropolises of Grottone and Ponton Graziolo, which feature numerous chamber tombs.
Artistic Tiles from Ancient Workshops – Facebook @comunedivillasangiovanniintuscia
In the historical centre, we will come across several curious tiles installed on the walls of old artisan workshops, bearing their owners’ nickname, founding date, and activity period.
The “Qui un tempo c’era“ project is an idea of the Antiqua Tellus Association in collaboration with the Municipality.
The first millstone on the Three Villages Trail – www.camminodeitrevillaggi.it
Villa San Giovanni in Tuscia is the starting and finish point of the Cammino dei Tre Villaggi, the shortest trail in Italy. A circular route of approximately twenty km in the Etruscan Tuscia, it winds along ancient Etruscan roads, among archaeological and natural treasures hidden in the wild Marturanum Regional Park and crosses the villages of Barbarano Romano and Blera. The initiative was created by the Freedom APS Association in 2021.
The Cava di Ponton Graziolo on the Cammino dei Tre Villaggi – www.camminodeitrevillaggi.it
Past the necropolises, we continue through hollow roads, panoramic viewpoints, museums, ancient fountains, ravines carved by streams, waterfalls, mills, terraced gardens, Roman bridges, and columbaria. At the end of the Cammino dei Tre Villaggi, we will receive the certificate of “Viandante Etrusco”.
Tuscia in Fiore – Facebook @prolocoVillaSanGiovanniInTuscia
In May, the Tuscia Region celebrates “Tuscia in Fiore”, a travelling Spring festival visiting various villages, where squares, balconies, and peperino stone houses are decorated with plenty of flowers. The event, accompanied by artistic performances and tastings, is held during four weekends until June.
The “Tressette Players” – Facebook @comunedivillasangiovanniintuscia
The installation of the four friends challenging each other to a game of tressette, depicting players from the local senior centre, fully represents the village atmosphere. This curious installation in Via del Poggetto was the most voted during the 2024 edition of “Tuscia in Fiore”.
In mid-July, the Tripe Festival is celebrated, while, in mid-August, we can taste the pezzata at the Pezzata and Sheep Arrosticini Festival. This ancient humble shepherd’s recipe, similar to goulash, consists of mutton served in earthenware dishes on a layer of toasted bread and sprinkled with pecorino. In the past, this delicious speciality was prepared by the shepherds (carosini) during the sheep shearing season.