In the Tiber Valley lies the village of Fiano Romano, located on the bank of the river, covering an area of over forty square kilometres.
The area, like the whole of northern and central Italy, saw the rise of the Etruscan civilisation between the 8th and 6th centuries BC. The historical centre features the Orsini ducal castle with its imposing tower, thirty metres high and edged with battlements.
Also of note are the Church of Santo Stefano Nuovo, with a basilica plan of three naves surmounted by round arches resting on travertine pillars, and the Church of Santo Stefano Vecchio, located just outside the town and now privately owned, includes a bronze candelabrum on each side of the entrance portal and the present-day altar inside, located in the apse in place of the old ciborium, made of Greek marble.
A curious fact is that Fiano Romano has its origins in a possible destruction of Capena by the Romans, which led the inhabitants to seek refuge on the nearby hills, where small settlements sprang up, from which the village originated.
Gastronomic specialties include all the dishes of Roman cuisine, such as pasta alla carbonara and amatriciana, as well as local meats and products such as olives and Sirole PAT extra-virgin olive oil, cherries, plums, marzolino and buffalo mozzarella; try the gnocchi with gorgonzola and walnuts, and the gnocchi with truffles. Don’t miss the tart with sour cherries.
The Feast of the Hunter in June and the Feast of St Stephen in August are two of the most eagerly anticipated events you should attend.