Genazzano is the town of art and the Infiorata. This typical medieval village, among olive groves, vineyards, and woods, dominated by the majestic Castello dei Principi Colonna, is perched on a tuff spur in the beautiful Valle del Sacco, between the Castelli Romani and the Prenestini Mountains. It constitutes the fourth stage of the Southern Via Francigena, on the Direttrice Prenestina – Casilina.
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In Roman times, Genazzano hosted aristocratic villas and residences, due to its amenity and proximity to Rome.
Castello Colonna – retedimorestorichelazio.it
The Castle, restored many times over the centuries, was originally a military fortress with towers and an imposing defensive system, and then became, in the sixteenth century, a papal residence. In 1417, Castello Colonna (Pope Martino V) turned it into a luxurious noble residence, and, between 1611 and 1639, Filippo I Colonna, Lord of Genazzano renovated the north-east tower, creating a private apartment with a chapel frescoed by Marzio Ganassini in 1616.
Elcini Park – retedimorestorichelazio.it
The Colonna Castle, together with the Renaissance Parco degli Elcini, is listed in the Network of Lazio Historic Homes. It preserves, in the current municipal garden, remains of an octagonal fountain and a well, which received water from the Roman aqueduct.
The Nymphaeum of Bramante in Genazzano
Between 1507 and 1511, Cardinal Pompeo Colonna commissioned to Bramante the construction of a Nymphaeum designed on the model of Roman baths, with a three-bay façade and two apsed short sides overlooking the small valley.
The Nymphaeum of Bramante in Genazzano – Facebook @prlocogenazzano
The Nymphaeum preserves an octagonal room with seats inside large niches arranged diagonally, where to enjoy the cool shade and the jets of water. This imposing work immersed in the greenery combines reminiscences of Roman classicism with the aspirations of Renaissance style. The Nymphaeum of Bramante is listed in the Network of Lazio Historic Homes.
The Infiorata di Genazzano – photo by Proloco Genazzano
The unmissable Infiorata del Sacro Cuore has been celebrated on the first Sunday of July since 1883. In 2012, the 1642.57 m² petal mosaic was declared by the “London Guinness World Records” as the largest Infiorata in the world, and, in 2013, the Italian Post Office issued a special stamp in memory of this event.
The procession during the Infiorata di Genazzano – photo by Proloco Genazzano
On the same day, the Procession of the Sacred Heart takes place, with the participation of over four hundred figures, solemnly recalling the events of the Old and New Testaments.
In the first week of September, the faithful celebrate the Madre del Buon Consiglio, to whom the Basilica of the same name in Genazzano is dedicated, with the traditional commodity fair and the falconry show held at the Nymphaeum of Bramante.
The Palio di Brancaleone in Genazzano
The Palio di Brancaleone commemorates the famous “Disfida di Barletta”. In 1503, Giovanni de Carlonibus, known as Brancaleone, defeated, together with twelve Italian knights, the onslaught of thirteen Frenchmen. The event is celebrated for three days three days with knights’ tournaments between late May and early June. During the festival, the cellars of Genazzano offer food and wine tastings, archery competitions are organised, and actors in period costume parade through the streets.
Cacio di Genazzano – Lorenzo Pichi @ Ist. Alberghiero Rosario Livatino di Cave
Among the typical dishes, we find the gnocchetti di tiritello, large and thick fettuccine made from wheat bran flour, and the barachie (plum pies). The area is also rich in excellent wines, such as the Cesanese di Olevano Romano DOC, to be enjoyed with the Cacio di Genazzano.