Nestled in the Veio Regional Nature Park we find Formello, with thick forests, wide ridges and tuff rock formations used for agricultural cultivation (vines, olive groves and cereal crops).
Scholars have established the presence of dwellings already in the prehistoric era and the birth of the Etruscan city of Veio, which stood on the current municipal territory. The medieval historical centre includes the Palazzo Chigi, residence of the Orsini family, and the Church of San Lorenzo, dating back to 1200, which houses two valuable frescoes by the mannerist Formello painter Donato Palmieri. The high altar, in coloured marble, originally intended for the Church of Sant’Apollinare in Rome, was placed there in 1744. Also worth mentioning is the Villa Chigi – Versaglia, which has a tower, known as the ‘Torre Colombaia’, on three floors. There are many cavities dug into the tufa: among others, there is an enormous cistern divided into two sections with an arched vault and a circular stable fifty metres below ground level.
Among the places not to be missed, we recommend a visit to the Church of San Michele Arcangelo and the Agro Veientano Archaeological Civic Museum, which collects materials from the territory of the municipality and the Sorbo Valley, with its natural waterfalls.
Few of you will know that the Centre for Engraving and Graphic Art, inaugurated in 2003, in the tradition of French artist Jean-Pierre Velly, promotes the graphic arts and art printing with a focus on original engraving.
Food is one of Formello’s strong points. The extra virgin olive oil, local cheeses, black pudding and padellaccia, a tasty pan-cooking of minced pork for sausages, are excellent. Desserts include ricotta tart with alchermes and porsaraghi tart with the characteristic sweet-sour taste of the local fruit. It is an area of production of Rome and Tarquinia DOC wines.
Events throughout the year include the Festa della Madonna del Sorbo in January and the Festa di San Lorenzo in August, and the Antiques Market held one Sunday a month.