The village of Filettino is the highest in Lazio, at 1075 metres, in the province of Frosinone, about 105 kilometres from Rome, and is located in the Monti Simbruini Natural Park, in a panoramic position between Monte Viglio and Monte Cotento.
The village was most probably established in the 6th century by the people of lower Lazio fleeing the barbarian invasions.
The history is told by the remains of the Saracen walls and the presence of various churches in the area, such as those of San Bernardino and San Nicola, with frescoes dating back to 1220.
Of great interest is the landscape with the source of the Aniene river, the fir, birch, beech and oak woods, and the small lake ‘del Pertuso’.
The village offers visitors one of the most evocative natural panoramas of the entire region: immense valleys, mountains over two thousand metres high, and landscapes that stretch from the Gran Sasso d’Italia to the Tyrrhenian Sea.
It is a favourite destination for snow lovers thanks to the modern ski facilities at Campo Staffi.
The Church of St. Nicholas, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the Caraffa Fountain, from which the Aniene River originates, the Snow Cave and finally the “Maresciallo Rodolfo Graziani” Civic Museum are all interesting.
A charming corner is the Sorgente del Pertuso, five kilometres from Fiumata, where a rock squeezes the Aniene into a gorge: the inlet has created an artificial lake considered a paradise by trout-fishing enthusiasts.
The ricotta and pecorino cheeses, trout from the Aniene river and manduluni, stewed beans with sausages, are delicious; the local potatoes (red, yellow and white), cherries and hazelnuts are excellent.
Characteristic dishes include polenta with pork trimmings and pizza with sfrizzoli, i.e. pieces of pork meat.