In a charming rocky landscape, covered by flourishing nature on the slopes of Mount Cecubo, 135 kilometres from Rome, in the province of Frosinone, rises the village of Esperia, dominated for centuries by the craggy Rocca Guglielma, near the Pollèca Gorges.
Here the visitor can admire a fabulous panorama of the Montecassino Abbey and the Liri Valley, stretching as far as the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The area around Esperia is in fact one of the most beautiful in Ciociaria, ideal for relaxing excursions and walks.
The village of Esperia Superiore, at the foot of the mediaeval fortress, is surrounded by woods and olive groves, among which other hamlets such as Badia di Esperia, Monticelli and San Pietro in Curolis unfold.
The 14th-century Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie adorns the historic centre where Palazzo Spinelli, now home to the Karst Museum, also stands.
Also of interest is the Sanctuary of Santa Maria Maggiore and San Filippo Neri, which houses an altarpiece from the mid-15th century, attributed to Taddeo Zuccari, and the monument to Sveva Caetani.
The Church of St Peter the Apostle, which is documented from the 10th century, with paintings of the Neapolitan school, the Porta del Morrone (Morrone Gate), the Palace of St Scholastica, the ruins of the Monastery of San Cimo and the large dinosaur footprints, the oldest in Lazio, are worth a visit.
The Pony of Esperia is the only Italian pony native to the Ciociaria region: in 1962 it was officially recognised as a breed and after thirty years a registry was established at the Provincial Breeders’ Association of Frosinone.
Pontecorvo PDO peppers, oil and the typical Reale white and Olivello Rosso wines are renowned, a descendant of ‘cæcubum’, the wine favoured by the Romans and even mentioned by Horace.
The delicious marzolina di Esperia, mazzuttegl or gnocchi, laina e fagioli, ciammaruche (snails), bread with olives, ‘piccantino’ pecorino cheese with mint, and sweet zeppole (fried doughnuts) are all worth tasting.