Castelnuovo di Farfa is a small village in Sabina, nestled in the greenery on a hill between the Farfa River and the Riana Stream, within the Riserva Naturale Regionale Nazzano Tevere-Farfa. One of its main attractions is the unique Museo dell’Olio della Sabina.
Castelnuovo di Farfa
The Castellum Sancti Donati, built before the year 1000 around the church dedicated to the saint, Bishop of Arezzo and martyr, was destroyed in the early tenth century by the Saracens and rebuilt in the eleventh century by the abbots of Farfa. It was later abandoned, but the church still stands. Towards the end of the thirteenth century, a Castellum Novum was built, around which the village developed.
The early medieval Church of San Donato – castelnuovodifarfaturismo.it
The early medieval Church of San Donato, dating back to the sixth century AD, played a key role in the founding of Castelnuovo di Farfa. It served as a place of cult at least until the sixteenth century, but was later abandoned and, in the second half of the twentieth century, its ruins were incorporated into a farm building.
The early Medieval Church of San Donato, former altar – castelnuovodifarfaturismo.it
In the Church of San Donato, it is possible to listen to contemporary chants sung in the fourth-century Latin words of the Holy Thursday chrism hymn, written by Saint Ephrem the Syrian. Today, the church hosts the Museo dell’Olio della Sabina, dedicated to the precious olive oil.
Food and wine products of Castelnuovo di Farfa – castelnuovodifarfaturismo.it
The Sabina DOP EVO oil, with its typical yellow-green colour, golden hues, and fruity flavour, enabled Castelnuovo di Farfa to enter the Associazione Nazionale Città dell’Olio
The Museo dell’Olio della Sabina in Castelnuovo di Farfa
The Museum displays images, emotional installations and sounds created by contemporary artists from all around the world, like Maria Lai, Alik Cavaliere, Hidëtoshi Nagasawa, Gianandrea Gazzola, and Ille Strazza, dedicated to the yellow gold of Sabina.
The Museo dell’Olio della Sabina – castelnuovodifarfaturismo.it
Along our itinerary, we can visit the most representative sites of the medieval village, such an eighteenth-century animal-drawn olive oil mill, preserved in the old communal oven, and the archaeological site of the medieval Church of San Donato. Not to be missed is, finally, the bruschetta, an olive-oil- seasoned slice of roasted bread.
The Church of San Nicola di Bari – castelnuovodifarfaturismo.it
In the medieval historic centre, stands the Church of San Nicola di Bari, built in 1700 on the site of a destroyed chapel. The single-nave church boasts Baroque-style interiors, wall paintings, and an ancient organ. The feast of the patron saint, San Nicola di Bari, is celebrated on the first Sunday of December.
The Church of the Madonna degli Angeli – castelnuovodifarfaturismo.it
The Church of the Madonna degli Angeli, dating back to the Jubilee Year 1600, was erected by the inhabitants to thank the Virgin for protecting them from the plague. Built with a circular plan and local materials, the church was enriched, in the late 1600s, with a small bell tower. In 1933, it collapsed and was rebuilt by the noble Salustri Galli Family, along with their noble palace. The Feast of the Madonna degli Angeli is celebrated on the first Sunday of August.
Palazzo Salustri Galli and the Italian Garden – castelnuovodifarfaturismo.it
The Renaissance-style Palazzo Salustri-Galli hosts impressive Italian gardens and gorgeous decorated rooms. It belongs to the local family of the same name, who, for centuries, administered the lands around the Farfa Abbey. The building consists of several sections, whose construction probably started in the sixteenth century. The interiors were frescoed in mid-1700s, including splendid, unique decorations above the doors.
Among the typical dishes are the Fregnacce alla Castelnovese or with Persa, a pasta dish made with flour, eggs and water and cut into wide strips. The sauce is a sort of pesto consisting of marjoram, or persa, garlic, red chili pepper, and DOP EVO olive oil from Sabina. Another delicious speciality is the Frittelli, tasty battered-fried broccoli. The Festival of the Fregnacce is celebrated every year on August 14.
photo by castelnuovodifarfaturismo.it
The traditional Festival delle Cantine takes place in mid-October, during the celebrations in honour of the Madonna del Rosario, accompanied with music and performances. In addition, throughout the alleys of Castelnuovo di Farfa, it is possible to visit tasting stands and ancient handcraft markets, or to take evening tours of the Sabina Oil Museum.