Gallese is the birthplace of actor Ennio Fantastichini, known, among other things, for his performance in Gianni Amelio’s ‘Porte aperte’ (1989).
Along the ancient Via Amerina, 30 km away from Viterbo and less than 80 from Rome, this ‘City of Hazelnuts’ has very ancient origins shrouded in the mystery of a legend: it is said that the first stone of the village was laid by Haleso, son of Agamemnon, who thus started the Falisci lineage. Tombs and settlements scattered throughout the territory bear witness to the settlement of the Etruscans, while the historic centre, bordered by two streams, has medieval origins, with its walls, central square and town hall square.
Not to be missed is a visit, on foot or by bicycle, to the nearby Pian Sant’Angelo Natural Monument and WWF Oasis, 250 hectares of astonishing natural monuments that include the Forre di Corchiano, a canyon originated by imposing volcanic events typical of Tuscia, followed by a long period of glaciation.
The church is still a key point in the history of Gallese: two popes were born here, Marino I (882-884) and Romano I (898); the spirituality of the place led to the arrival of the Cistercian monk who later became St. Famiano, the patron saint celebrated on 8 August, to whom the church with its raised presbytery of great artistic value is dedicated. The neoclassical Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, designed by Pietro Camporese in 1796, is interesting, with paintings from the 1600s and a collection of objects related to the Good Friday liturgy.
The most typical dish is acquacotta. Then there are the sausages, with their festival in September, and the soup with lamb, known as Giubba e Calzoni in the Viterbo area. First courses include fresh pasta such as lombrichelli, pasta straccia, gnocchi col ferro, gnocchi ‘ncotti or strozzapreti. Among the desserts, those with local hazelnuts. The Tuscia DOP extra virgin olive oil and Colli Cimini IGT and Vignanelo DOC wines are excellent.
The popular music review ‘Il suono dei giorni’ (The Sound of Days) in August is particularly interesting.