Jenne rises on a rocky spur at about 800 metres like a nativity scene immersed in the “Parco Naturale dei Monti Simbruini”.
Grotta dell’Inferniglio in Jenne – Mario Tomei @ www.parcomontisimbruini.it
The Grotta dell’Inferniglio is located in the Simbruini Mountains, at an altitude of 512 metres, in the municipality of Jenne. It lies on the Aniene River, near the Ancient Water Mill, and drains the waters of the area Campo dell’Osso – Monte Livata. In the shade of curiously shaped stalactites and stalagmites, the cave preserves a perennial spring season. Here, in the bowels of the mountain, runs a 2.5 km underwater path, which follows the course of an underground river.
Jenne – Facebook @comunedijenne
In the upper part of the village, we can admire the remains of a medieval fortress built by Abbot Giovanni V after 1060. Of the medieval castle, the Chapel of Santa Maria in Arce with frescoes from the thirteenth century remains. Noteworthy is the ancient parish Church of Jenne, dedicated to Sant’Andrea Apostolo, with its five altars and single nave.
Jenne lies on the Cammino di San Benedetto, the over 300 km route crossing the green heart of Italy from Umbria to Lazio and reaching the border with Campania. Not to be missed, in the historical centre, are the Church of the Madonna delle Grazie and the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, restored in 2002.
ndremmappi – Facebook @comunedijenne
The main local speciality is “ndremmappi”, thick whole wheat fettuccine with tomato and anchovies, celebrated with a festival at the beginning of September. The combination of sea and mountain flavours reminds us of the transhumance.
When the shepherds and their flocks reached the summer pastures on the karst plateaus of Fondi and Campitelli, they brought with them the simplest and cheapest seafood, pickled anchovies, and combined them with wheat, the result of their hard work in the mountains. The dough was prepared with whole wheat flour, ndremmappa, ground at the municipal mill and mixed with water and salt.
Tortiglioni – www.parcomontisimbruini.it
A traditional cake is the Tortiglione, the Lazio PAT biscuit, baked in the past, since 1751, in the ancient wood fired Municipal Oven, where the fornara regulated the temperature and baking time of the bread and biscuits brought by the women of the village. Even today, in the ancient oven of Jenne, bread is baked according to the traditional recipe.
Ballo della Pantasema in Jenne – Facebook @Pantasema
The two most important events in Jenne are the Jennesina, a foot race that takes place in July, and the Ballo della Pantasema, held in September. The Pantasema, a huge wood and papier-mâché female puppet symbolizing the end of summer, is burnt among dances and folk songs. Deeply felt in Ciociaria and the Aniene Valley, this festival includes re-enactments of peasant pagan rites.