There are 90 kilometres between Rome and Fiuggi, a town nestled in the thick chestnut woods of the Ernici Mountains in the province of Frosinone.
The higher part of the town encloses the ancient medieval village, with a few towers, defence walls, steep alleys, flights of steps and narrow squares.
The Church of San Biagio Martire houses fine works, such as a painting by Cavalier d’Arpino, a stoup formed from a Romanesque capital and a fresco of the Virgin and Child.
The village waters belong to the low-mineral group and are effective in detoxifying treatments and indicated in the treatment of kidneys and gout.
In the Middle Ages, they became famous because Pope Boniface VIII made regular use of them to treat his kidney stones, and later Michelangelo, in 1549, drew benefit from them against ‘stone sickness’. Today, the spa resort is an ideal place not only for treatments, but also to enjoy a relaxing holiday period rich in cultural stimuli.
The Medieval Village, the collegiate church of San Pietro and the Church of Santa Chiara with the Faioli Sisters Monument are all worth a visit.
Civil architecture includes the Fonte Bonifacio VIII, Palazzo Falconi and the Palazzo della Fonte.
Big Bench 328 a Fiuggi – photo Instagram @bigbenchcommunityprogect
And if you want to experience a 360° panorama of the village and the surrounding nature, sit comfortably on Big Bench 328. We climb to Mount Cesino, a very scenic spot surrounded by gorse. Here stands the white and yellow Big Bench. You feel small and your perspective on the world changes. We are in the presence of a panorama that encompasses the old town of Fiuggi as far as Lake Canterno.
The festival of the ‘stuzze’ is unique: in homage to the legend of 1298, every year on 2 February, large bonfires are lit in memory of the burning of San Biagio who saved the village from attackers.
Among the specialities are pappafuocchie, a traditional ciociara recipe based on cannellini beans. There are many fish dishes: trout, crayfish, eels and stickleback fried in oil. Meat dishes include roast kid and barbecued lamb. Also worth trying are the marzoline and all the seasoned sheep and goat cheeses and finally the amaretti biscuits. Don’t miss the famous Cesanese del Piglio, a DOCG wine that is produced in the area.