Cerreto Laziale, 70 kilometres from Rome, is a village in the Giovenzano valley, lush with fields, chestnut and oak woods. It stands on a hill on the slopes of the Ruffi mountains.
The small town is dominated by a 14th-century medieval tower, which was a refuge for the Cerretani during the siege of brigands led by Marco Sciarra.
Worth visiting in the historic centre is the 17th-century Church of Santa Maria Assunta, which preserves a wooden crucifix carved in 1500.
Numerous remains of ancient fortifications are visible in the town and in Piazza Marconi is the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, which annually holds important exhibitions by contemporary artists.
In the places of interest, tourists will be able to inside the polygonal walls in the Fonte Farolfa and Arenale contrada until they reach the fortress.
Between history and legend, visitors can relive the story that recounts the pride of a community that did not surrender to invasions by brigands.
Around 1592, the inhabitants took refuge in the Castle to hold out against the brigands of Marco Sciarra, who were then defeated thanks to a stratagem and the help of a small cat.
That little cat is still remembered today by the village inhabitants, who in its honour celebrate every year with a competition whose winner is presented with a wooden statue of a cat.
Numerous festivals and cultural events are held in the alleys and medieval streets of Cerreto throughout the year.
One outstanding festival or sagra is dedicated to a local traditional dish, the “Pizzarelle”, similar to fettuccine but shorter and thicker, made partly with wheat flour and partly with corn flour, served only in the traditional “scifette” (wooden containers) with pistachio sauce (garlic and chilli pesto with the addition optional anchovies).