25 villages in Lazio have been awarded with the Orange Flag, a recognition conferred every year by the Touring Club Italiano for the excellent quality of the tourist offer and development of the territory.
The Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club
If you need to relax, you should enjoy this unforgettable experience. From Tuscia to Rieti and through Ciociaria to the province of Latina, every corner will be unique.
Let us start from Viterbo, whose province, ranking firsts, boasts as many as seven Orange Flags.
Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola – Ft Roberto Ricci
Caprarola is renowned for the enchanting Palazzo Farnese, whose frescoes were painted by the cleverest artists of the time. A visit to the Palace will be a journey into the distant 1500s!
Bomarzo
From Caprarola, we reach Bomarzo, where we will experience a thrilling adventure in the remarkable Parco dei Mostri, which inspired several artists, included the famous Salvador Dalí. Before entering the Villa delle Meraviglie, let us visit the village of Bomarzo, admire the charming houses built in the local peperino stone, and taste the typical sweet bread Biscotto di Sant’Anselmo.
Bolsena overlooking its lake
We continue through the Via Francigena del Nord until Bolsena, the town of the Eucharistic miracle, overlooking its volcanic lake, the largest in Europe. Walking throughout the historic centre, you will marvel at symbolic monuments such as Palazzo Cozza Crispo (today Del Drago) and San Rocco Fountain. Lake Bolsena and its shores are perfect for practising sailing, sport fishing, diving, trekking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
The village of Calcata
The amazing Calcata, perched on a tufaceous spur within the Parco Naturale Regionale Valle del Treja, is among the most evocative naturally fortified villages in Italy. Many of Its pedestrian winding alleys offer an incredible view over the reddish tuff ravines.
Vitorchiano and his Profferli (external stairs)
The comic movie “L’armata Brancaleone” by Mario Monicelli was filmed in Vitorchiano, the fifth Orange Flag in Tuscia, an enchanting village with small squares, alleys, buildings with external stairs, balconies and arches, all made of dark grey peperino stone. Not to be missed, the only Moai sculpture, existing outside the Easter Island!
The entrance to Tuscania
We are now moving to Tuscania, one of the first Italian centres of Christianity and Episcopal seats of very ancient origins. Do not forget to visit the Church of San Pietro and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Archaeological Museum and the Etruscan and Roman Necropolis.
The Mithraeum in Sutri
The last Orange Flag in Tuscia will be Sutri with its ancient origins dating back to the Bronze Age. Testimonies of a glorious past are the fascinating Roman Amphitheatre, completely dug into the tuff, the Etruscan Necropolis, and the ancient Etruscan and medieval walls.
The narrow streets of San Donato Val di Comino
Progressing in our journey in search the Orange Flags of the Touring Club Italiano, we arrive in Ciociaria. We will be starting from San Donato Val di Comino, a stone labyrinth of medieval winding alleys and small squares, with defensive and climatic purposes, with several attractions to visit. History, traditions and food and wine are the successful combination for San Donato Val di Comino.
The ancient walls of Arpino
In Arpino, hometown of Cicerone, we can stop by the fortified village of Civita Vecchia, dominated by the Acropolis, with its extraordinary pointed arched ogival door and original polygonal walls made of geometric Cyclopean stone blocks. The vast Arpino territory has been the birthplace of illustrious men, such as Marco Tullio Cicerone, Caio Mario, Vispanio Agrippa, and the painter Giuseppe Cesari, called “Cavalier d’Arpino”.
Casa Lawrence in Picinisco
Walking through beech, chestnut, and oak woods, we arrive in Picinisco, at 725 metres above sea level, overlooking the Valle del Comino. The houses and alleys of the historic centre, with their elegant facades and large stone portals, lead to Piazza Fucina, where you will be able to admire a magnificent sundial. Piazza Ernesto Capocci preserves the Palazzo degli Orologi and the Church of San Rocco from 1500. Casa Lawrence, inhabited by the renowned English writer D.H.Lawrence in 1919, is also worth a visit.
The ancient pharmacy in the Certosa di Trisulti in Collepardo
After Picinisco, we head towards Collepardo, in the splendid setting of the Ernici Mountains, dotted with ancient abbeys, karst chasms, and caves of great touristic and naturalistic interest. We are talking about the Collepardo Caves, or “dei Bambocci” (Caves of the Puppets), because of the bizarre figures formed by stalactites and stalagmites, and the large chasm called Pozzo d’Antullo.
Noteworthy is the Certosa di Trisulti, a beautiful thirteenth century monastery renovated in the Baroque Age, a national monument since 1873.
In 2024, also the Ciociaria towns of Atina, Castro dei Volsci, and Trevi nel Lazio conquered the Orange Flag
View of Atina – IG Domenico New Year’s Eve
Atina, a small village with a glorious past, hosts architectural jewels, such as the ancient polygonal walls from the fourth –fifth century BC., the Palazzo Ducale, and the eighteenth-century Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. In summer, Atina becomes the scene of both a Jazz and a Folklore Festival.
Castro dei Volsci, the Balcony of Ciociaria
Also known as the Balcony of Ciociaria, Castro dei Volsci offers the tourists a wide range of experiences. History enthusiasts will stroll through the streets and discover traces of ancient times, even mysterious symbols attributed to the Knights Templar.
Trevi Waterfall in the Parco dei Monti Simbruini in Lazio
In Trevi nel Lazio, in the upper Aniene Valley, we can take a walk along the Cammino di San Benedetto. The village, inhabited in the past by the ancient Equi, is surrounded by a gorgeous nature and high rocky walls, a paradise for free climbers. Woods are rich in strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and mushrooms. You can admire the beautiful Trevi waterfall in Comunacque, sparkling in the green of the Simbruini Mountains.
In the heart of Italy, in the province of Rieti, we discover three more villages, Labro, Leonessa and Casperia.
The Castle of Labro
The fan shaped village of Labro, protected by the Terminillo Mountains from behind, overlooks Lake Piediluco. This area is famous for truffles, an ingredient of exquisite dishes, such as fettuccine, gnocchi and lasagna, all worth trying!
Celebrations in Leonessa
Leonessa, the town of San Giuseppe, is a beautiful medieval village 1000 metres above sea level, expertly renovated in 1500. The Palio del Velluto and the Potato Festival are the two most important events, attracting every year many tourists from all over the region and more.
Casperia
Casperia, the onion shaped village in Sabina, still preserves traces of the Middle Ages, such as the Porta di S. Maria, also known as Porta Reatina, from where we can spot a clock, that marks the time according to the medieval measurement. Towers, walkways, ravelins, loopholes, casemates, and almost intact paths climbing up to the viewpoint over the Sabina territory, are witnesses of the ancient Aspra, named Casperia in 1947. Our journey continues into the province of Rome, where we will explore Trevignano Romano, Nemi and Subiaco.
Trevignano Romano
The first stop is Trevignano Romano, in the so-called Tuscia Romana, from where we can take excursions into the Parco Naturale Regionale di Bracciano – Martignano. This small and lovely medieval village also offers the opportunity of a pleasant walk along the beautiful tree-lined lakeside, stretching for about three km, dotted with many restaurants with view on the lake.
Nemi – Ft Maria Cesaria Giordano
From the Lago di Bracciano, we reach the Lago di Nemi, in the Parco dei Castelli Romani. Nemi, the village of strawberries, reflected in the lake, offers us an unforgettable memory. In the historic centre, the artisans in their workshops keep the traditions alive, included the still taught ancient art of bobbin lace.
The Monastero del Sacro Speco in Subiaco
Subiaco, in the heart of the Simbruini Mountains Natural Park, lies among deep woods, majestic rocks, and several stretches of water. San Benedetto, Patron Saint of Europe, lived here as a hermit for three years in the Sacro Speco. The Monastery was built much later around the small cave. A second attraction not to be missed is the Monastery of Santa Scolastica, with its exceptional library, declared national monument. In the historic centre of Subiaco do not forget to visit the Church and Convent of San Francesco.
Abbey of Fossanova
We are now travelling in the province of Latina, along the Via Pontina, where we come across the charming villages of Fossanova, Bassiano, Campodimele, Sermoneta and Prossedi.
The enchanting Abbey of Fossanova, a perfect example of Cistercian architecture, is the most beautiful in Lazio and probably in Italy. The Church, Convent, infirmary, stable, and pilgrim hospice were all built by a single French monk with the sole help of local stonemasons.
Bassiano
We get into the car and, in less than half an hour, we arrive in Bassiano, known for its excellent long matured raw ham, flavoured with a garlic, pepper, and white wine sauce. Bassiano was fortified by the Caetani Family with walls, nine towers and three gates, maintaining the original spiral structure of the ancient village.
The walkway in Campodimele
After a delicious ham sandwich, we head towards Campodimele, the small gem in the Parco dei Monti Aurunci, with a compact, circular architecture typical of medieval villages. From here, we enjoy a delightful view of the Gulf of Gaeta. Finally, let us visit the ancient Convent of Sant’Onofrio, built in the 11th century by Benedictine monks.
Sermoneta Castello Caetani
We are now going to explore the medieval village of Sermoneta, on the Lepini Mountains, the most impressive and well-preserved in the area. The Caetani Castle is certainly the emblem of the town, but, at a short distance, stands the Abbey of Valvisciolo, one of the very first examples of Gothic-Cistercian architecture in Italy.
Prossedi
The last Pontine village to conquer the prestigious Orange Flag is Prossedi, located on a hill in the Lepini Mountains. Rich in monuments and valuable architecture, the small town offers romantic walks among the typical stone houses, so close to each other, and the narrow streets that climb towards the highest point, overlooking the valley.
Lazio is a blend of colours, but as far as concerns these twenty-five pearls, the dominating one is orange!
Arpino (FR), Atina (FR), Bassiano (LT), Bolsena (VT), Bomarzo (VT), Calcata (VT), Campodimele (LT), Caprarola (VT), Casperia (RI), Castro dei Volsci (FR), Collepardo (FR), Fossanova (frazione del comune di Priverno – LT), Labro (RI), Leonessa (RI), Nemi (RM), Picinisco (FR), Prossedi (LT), San Donato Val di Comino (FR), Sermoneta (LT), Subiaco (RM), Sutri (VT),Trevi nel Lazio (FR), Trevignano Romano (RM), Tuscania (VT), Vitorchiano (VT).