Nespolo lies in the heart of the “Riserva Naturale Monte Navegna e Monte Cervia”, in the province of Rieti, at over 800 metres above sea level between the two Mountains. It is a perfect place for lovers of natural landscapes changing colours with the seasons.
Nespolo lying between Monte Navegna and Monte Cervia
An ideal place for those who love to immerse themselves in the evocative beauty of natural landscapes, with changing colors as the seasons change.
The Church of San Sebastiano in Nespolo – photo by Wikipedia
The village was born around the thirteenth century on the top of a hill, from the union of different scattered hamlets. Unmissable is the small Church of the Patron Saint San Sebastiano, built between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and restored in 1521. It preserves a simple façade, an ancient baptismal font, and a Flemish school painting from the sixteenth century, depicting the martyrdom of San Sebastiano. From the magnificent garden in front of the church you can enjoy a spectacular view of Mount Cervia. Among the other places of worship, the little church of Sant’Antonio and the small stone chapel dedicated to San Rocco are worth a visit.
The wooden millstone of the water mill in Nespolo – photo by parchilazio.it
Not far from the village, walking for a short distance through the vegetation, you will reach an ancient water mill recently restored, with a horizontal wooden millstone used for grinding grain and an external large stone basin for the collection of water.
The village, not far from Lake Turano, offers the opportunity to take excursions into uncontaminated nature along several trails. Particularly interesting is the area of Mount Piano, equipped for picnic and summer camping facilities. Nespolo is also crossed by the Cammino di San Pietro Eremita, the Saint who travelled throughout the Lazio provinces of Rome, Rieti and Frosinone.
The Giant Bench in Nespolo
From the Big Bench 365, inaugurated in Nespolo in 2024, you can fully appreciate the breathtaking view of the surrounding “Riserva dei Monte Navegna e Monte Cervia” mountain chain. Behind the bench, a picnic area and a fountain will be available, as well as many starting points for trekking tours into the Park.
The main local dishes are the gnocchetti con i fagioli (dumplings with beans), the cecamariti (water and flour pasta with garlic, oil and chilli pepper or local truffle), green tomato jam and, at Christmas, the typical serpentone cake.