On March 19, Father’s Day, let us surprise our dads with five places in Lazio, where to enjoy unforgettable experiences.
Toy Museum in Zagarolo www.museogiocattolo.it
The village of Zagarolo hosts in the sixteenth-century Palazzo Rospigliosi a twelve room Museum entirely dedicated to the history of toys from various parts of the world, where to relive a magical atmosphere. About one thousand pieces are displayed along the route of the tour, , from technological to handcrafted games from the mid-1800s.
Toy Museum in Zagarolo www.museogiocattolo.it
Inside the Museum, creative and educational activities are also organized for children, who will learn how to build toys, puppets and marionettes. Dads too will come back to their childhood, admiring their favourite superheroes and visiting temporary exhibits.
The Fires of San Giuseppe in Itri Facebook @angelo.addessi
On Father’s Day in Itri, a village at the foot of the Aurunci Mountains, the ritual of San Giuseppe’s bonfires is celebrated. This popular re-enactment, inspired by both sacred and profane traditions, symbolizes the winter’s end and earth purification. The Feast is dedicated to San Giuseppe, the Protector of carpenters.
Waste wood from handicraft shops are piled up and burned at dusk, for the entertainment of children and adults. This ritual soon became a competition among the village districts.
Zeppole Itrane
While listening to popular music, let us taste the typical local products, such as Zeppole, as custard cream puffs are called in southern Lazio. It is said that, after his flight to Egypt, San Giuseppe started to sell fritters to support his family in that foreign land, and therefore had been called Frittellaro.
And now, let us relax in Sabina, hand in hand with our dad throughout the Oasis of Orie Terme, the natural park frozen in time in Configno, a hamlet of Amatrice. Against the backdrop of the Laga Mountains, the park was born from the combination of the biblical texts from the Passion of Christ, with the poetic verses of the renowned singer-songwriter Fabrizio De André from the 1970 album “La buona novella”.
Oasi di Orie Terme in Configno di Amatrice
After walking along a three kilometres path through chestnut, beech and oak woods, you will reach a large meadow with a small body of water and a stream. In the Sacred Woods, you will come across a thousand-year-old chestnut tree with a trunk circumference of about nine metres, and you will be able to spot hedgehogs, foxes, porcupines, squirrels, mallards and even deer in the distance. Our itinerary continues with a visit to the “Museo delle Arti e Tradizioni Popolari di Configno”, which describes the centuries old everyday life of the area.
Paliano – Fiuggi bike path – www.visitacuto.it
Also recommended is a pleasant ride with your family along the bike track which connects Paliano to Fiuggi, passing through Serrone, Piglio and Acuto, this latter once crossed by the old railway. On foot or by bike, you will be able to admire the gorgeous landscape, immersed in the nature of Ciociaria, among brooms, wine rows and olive trees.
BIG BENCH Fb @bigbenchpiglio154
After a brief stop for a photo or a snack, we will reach the enormous Big Bench, located at two kilometres from the former Piglio train station. Sit on it, and you will be able to contemplate the magnificent view of the valley below as well as Mount Scalambra, a paradise for paragliders. Finally, let us end our journey by visiting a typical winery and toasting with a glass of excellent Cesanese del Piglio DOCG.
Monte Rufeno Astronomical Observatory in Acquapendente Facebook @massimo.fornicoli
Also worth a visit is the “Oasi Astronomica Monte Rufeno ad Acquapendente”, immersed in the greenery of the Alta Tuscia Viterbese, accessible both day and night all over the year..
Monte Rufeno Astronomical Oasis Facebook @acquapendente.online
One of the internal rooms houses a Planetarium, where it is possible to observe the starry night sky, a spectacle not discernible with the naked eye.
Offer your dad on Father’s Day, this extraordinary experience among the stars!