The municipality of Arsoli is an ‘open-air museum’ among the Simbruini mountains. Luigi Pirandello called it ‘the little Paris’ for its urban planning and architectural preciousness.
The village had attracted attention for its lively social and economic life thanks to the activities started after the plague of 1656, such as factories, oil mills, textile and brick factories.
In the past, the territory of Arsoli belonged to the Equi people and then to the Romans. Remains of a 2nd century BC villa outside the village and the stone that marked the 38th mile of the Via Valeria remain.
The Castello Massimo is the jewel in the crown of Arsoli, built on three floors overhanging the rock. The interior of the castle is stunning with rooms frescoed in the late 1500s by Zuccari and in the 1700s by Benefial. You can admire the collection of weapons, the throne room and the Chapel of San Filippo Neri with part of the Cosmati façade. The dungeons shelter other wonders such as the ancient oven, the rooms for storing food and oil, and the prison. Outside is the Italian-style hanging garden and the lush forest. The Castello Massimo houses the Museum of Musical Traditions and the records of the Banda Musicale di Arsoli, which was known as early as 1700.
Also worth visiting in Arsoli are the 1680 Chiesa del Salvatore (Church of the Saviour), designed by Giacomo della Porta, and the Palazzo San Bartolomeo with its adjoining Baroque church.
Typical dishes include ciciarchiole, sagne, fried pizza, sagnozzi, cillitti co’ j’agliu, and pullenta. Bean varieties are a typical product of Arsoli. Excellent are the fasoli co lle coteche, and the broccoli or cicci soffocati. Traditional desserts include tisichelle, ciammellette de magru and ciammelle della Fratellanza.