Labro, the stone village 600 metres above sea level, nestled between the Reatini Mountains and Lake Piediluco, with its narrow alleys climbing up to the Castle, is the door to the Holy Valley of San Francesco d’Assisi and the many Franciscan Monasteries in Rieti.
Thanks to its defensive, perched position, and the gorgeous but impervious nature, the burg is very well preserved, with its small houses in natural colours, cosy atmosphere, and fascinating views. For these reasons, after a period of depopulation, the burg has come back to life.
Porta Reatina in Labro
The village is exclusively accessible on foot. From Porta Reatina, walking up among houses and small widenings, we will reach and visit Palazzo Nobili Vitelleschi, with its well-kept furnishings and the complete family archive. After a few more stairs and cobblestone alleys we come across a small square, with the sixteenth-century Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, whose portal was once the entrance to the Castle. From here we will admire, especially on the night of San Lorenzo, a breathtaking view from the mountains to the lake, which made it possible to Labro to enter the list of “The Most Beautiful Skies in Italy”.
Alleys in Labro @Ph by Enrico Ferri
According to a legend, the first fortress of Labro was built by a nobleman from Rieti, the Signore de’ Nobili, who, during a hunting trip, decided to build a castle in the very place where he killed his first wild boar, hence the name aper, the Latin word for wild boar. Although the story is baseless, the coat of arms of the town depicts a wild boar under an oak tree.
A natural landscape in Labro
In addition to the truffle, the local speciality is the ivory white Gentile Labro Bean, with its peculiar, delicate flavour. While cooking, the thin skin almost disappears, and the soup will be velvety and creamy, a true delicacy for all seasons.
Labro has conquered the Orange Flag, a prestigious award by the Italian Touring Club for tourism-environmental development.