Barbarano Romano is a small medieval village lying on a tuff cliff. On two sides, it overlooks a precipice, while the third one is surrounded by city walls, which still preserve both cylindrical and square towers.
Overview of the medieval village of Barbarano Romano
The village developed according to a medieval urban plan, with a gateway, a main street, and two parallel side streets.
The beautiful Porta Romana, the entrance to Barbarano Romano
It is accessible through Porta Romana, a beautiful gateway featuring a characteristic clock. From here, a succession of alleys, small squares, and tuff houses with their staircases, the typical profferli, open up.
The streets of Barbarano Romano and the profferli
The historic centre boasts several religious buildings, like the Church of the Crucifix from 1573, which houses a valuable 16th-century wooden Crucifix, and the 11th century Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, which contains interesting 14th-century frescoes.
The Valleys of the Marturanum Regional Park
Barbarano Romano lies within the 1,200-hectare Marturanum Regional Park, established in 1984. The protected area is renowned not only for its rich natural heritage, but also for the presence of numerous Etruscan funerary sites, such as the Necropolis of San Giuliano, one of the most important in central Italy.
Porticoed tombs in the Marturanum Regional Park
These extraordinary monuments include rock-faced, porticoed, and niche tombs, as well as mounds and underground chambers. Excavations are still carried on, bringing to light precious finds from the Etruscan and Medieval periods.
Museum of the Rocky Necropolis of Marturanum – the room with the obelisk
Not to be missed is a visit to the Civic Archaeological Museum of the Rocky Necropolises. It houses, among the many treasures, an impressive four metres high funerary obelisk, the Sarcophagus of the Priestess, and countless remains testifying to the evolution of the Etruscan people from its origins to the Roman domination.
Museum of the Rocky Necropolises – the Sarcophagus of the Priestess
In addition to its archaeological heritage, the Park also offers to hikers and outdoor enthusiasts the possibility to discover an uncontaminated nature, woods, pastures and to observe a wide variety of wild animals.
The imposing grindstones in the Biedano Gorges
Worthy of attention within the park, is the evocative trail of the grindstones in the Gorges of the Biedano River.
Several Festivals and religious events are celebrated in Barbarano Romano throughout the year, such as the rural tradition of the Attozzata, held on the first Sunday of May on the Caiolo Plateau – Etruscan Necropolis of San Giuliano. This typical dish consists of soft ricotta cheese prepared in the old callare according to ancient methods, and then served still hot in terracotta bowls, accompanied by the tozzi, slices of freshly baked durum wheat bread. Another important event is the Snail Festival and the Medieval and Renaissance Historical Parade, which takes places in September. The Procession starts in the historic centre and reaches the 15th-century Church of the Madonna del Piano, opened only on this occasion.
The Procession of Saint Barbara, patron saint of Barbarano Romano
Santa Barbara is honoured in December with a solemn procession followed by a marching band, and fireworks. In the evening of the same day, the faithful gather in the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, and, one by one, kiss the statue of their patron saint. An impromptu poetry competition is also organized, where participants must recite eight-rhyme, often irreverent, free verses.
In 2024, the Municipality of Barbarano Romano established a twinning with the Jordanian city of Petra, an agreement consolidating the peace and friendship between two sites sharing a historical and archaeological heritage.