Monterosi is a lakeside village nestled in the Parco naturale regionale di Bracciano-Martignano, on the stretch of the Northern Via Francigena coinciding with the ancient Via Cassia, where Romans, Goths, and Lombards have left traces of their passage.
The small town originally lied on the hillside and only later developed downhill, by the 600 metres in diameter Lake of Monterosi.
The Lake Janula in Monterosi
In Roman times, the lake was called Janula, probably after its ancient name Janus. In memory this epithet, the Settimana della Poesia Janula Tuscia is held every year in September.
Lake Monterosi
In 1155, on the lake shores, the historic meeting between Pope Adrian IV and Frederick Barbarossa took place. It is said that the emperor refused to hold the stirrup of the Pontiff, who was mounting on his horse.
Another memorable episode occurred in 1649, the assassination of Monsignor Giada, Pope Innocent X’s envoy, who was killed by the assassins sent by Ranuccio Farnese. The pope punished the crime with the destruction of Castro.
The Church of Santa Croce in Monterosi – www.monterosi.org
The historic centre of Monterosi hosts the sixteenth century Church of Santa Croce, with its bell gable, and the Cardinal’s Palace, a former monastery.
Just outside the village, lies the “Terre dei Consoli Golf Club” with its 18-hole Championship course and 9-hole Family Course, called “The Island,” due to its similarity to a green area emerging from the water.
la pizzantiella – Facebook @comunedimonterosi
The renowned Music Band Santa Cecilia di Monterosi enlivens local festivals, such as Feast of the Patron Saints Vincenzo and Anastasio held in January, when it is possible to enjoy the Pizzantiella , a thick, sweet or savoury stuffed crêpe.
The Festa dei Borghi – Facebook @Monterosi
In June, the Festa dei Borghi is celebrated with a historical parade and a re-enactment with figures from the three villages of Madonna della Centura, Romano, and Aldobrandino. Other important events are the Beer Festival, held in July and, on a weekend at the end of the same month, the Bighero Festival, a special kind of homemade pasta with tomato sauce.
The Sacred Representation of the Dead Christ in Monterosi
The Sacred Representation of the Dead Christ, which includes eighteen monumental statues handcrafted by the local masters Mario and Marco Agrestini, took place for the first time on Good Friday 2024. The artists employed over ten years to create these extraordinary works, using, according to Renaissance techniques, wood, papier-mâché, and plaster. The re-enactment represents the Christ and the two thieves on five metres high crosses and several 2.4 metres tall figures of the Calvary.
The huge Crocheted Wool Nativity Scene in Monterosi consists of eight figures, five animals, and a Christmas tree, ranging from 50 cm to 2.50 m in height and displayed over a 20 square metre area. The statues, carved in wood, are dressed in clothes composed of hundreds of crochet wool patches knitted out by Anna Rita Forghieri from the Association “Cuori della Tuscia”.
The Crochet Wool Nativity Scene in Monterosi, detail of the Christmas Tree
The main figures of the crib are a kneeling Mary, Saint Joseph, and Baby Jesus. On one side stand the Three Kings, and, on the other, a goose girl and a shepherd with his three sheep. Each year, a new character is added, as was the case in 2024 with the 250 cm tall Christmas tree.
The Crochet Wool Nativity Scene in Monterosi
The project of the artist was born from the idea of recycling the crocheted wool patches that decorated the town square during the Knitting Festival. Anna Rita’s family, fellow citizens, and students collaborated throughout the design and carving phases.
The Crochet Wool Nativity Scene in Monterosi, a detail of the goose girl
In addition to representing their continents, the Three Wise Men, wearing crocheted scarves, necklaces, and flowers, also symbolize the three ages of man. The animals are covered in doilies on which our grandmothers once placed their knick-knacks.