Rieti lies on the banks of the crystal-clear Velino River, in a valley rich in history.
Roman Bridge in Rieti
In Roman times, the town was connected to Rome through a bridge, a stretch of the ancient Via Salaria, whose remains are still visible on the river surface. In modern times, a new bridge was built next to the old one.
Rieti Underground
The connection to the past is also witnessed by the underground city, where the remnant of a Roman viaduct is preserved. This imposing construction lifted up the Via Salaria to avoid the floods of the Velino River, allowing direct access to the town.
In the Middle Ages, Rieti experienced a new flourishing era. Past the thirteenth-century city walls, we reach the historic centre and the “Museo Civico di Rieti”, inside the Palazzo Comunale, which houses a rich collection of inestimable paintings, sculptures and gold artefacts from the late Renaissance.
Cappella Santa Barbara – Cattedrale di Rieti
The abundance of government buildings, noble palaces and religious architecture makes the historic centre of Rieti an artistic jewel: the Government Palace, with its elegant double loggia, the twelfth century Cathedral and the impressive bell tower, the Bishop’s Palace and the majestic portico, and the Flavio Vespasiano Theatre, with its extraordinary acoustics.
Anita Garibaldi
The Park in Via Liberato di Benedetto hosts the bronze statue of Anita Garibaldi, the heroine of two worlds, erected in memory of her brief stay, with her husband Giuseppe, in the Palace of the Marquis Colelli in 1849. For this reason, a town twinning has been established between Rieti and Laguna in Brazil, Anita’s hometown.
Unmissable is a visit to the four Franciscan Sanctuaries in the Valle Santa, also reachable on foot in the warm seasons. The Convent of Fonte Colombo is called “the Franciscan Mount Sinai” because here, in 1223, San Francesco dictated the Rule of the Order after forty days of fast.
The Temple of San Francesco al Terminillo
“E caelis abreptum Pacis Bonique omen profundo festivo sono”
The inscription “E caelis abreptum Pacis Bonique omen profundo feste sono” (The festive sound of the bells may reach everyone as a message from Heaven) is engraved on the largest bell of the belfry, which rises fifty-two metre high, next to the Temple of San Francesco al Terminillo. This contemporary jewel, immersed in Pian de’ Valli, dominates from above the four Franciscan Sanctuaries in the in the Valle Santa. Here, you can breathe the silent, peaceful atmosphere, that San Francesco so much appreciated.
Temple of San Francesco al Terminillo – www.visitrieti.com
The challenge of building a church at 1623 metres height was undertaken in 1939, when Pope Pio XII declared San Francesco d’Assisi the Patron Saint of Italy. The Friars Minor decided to celebrate this event erecting a Temple on the inaccessible, solitary Mount Terminillo, whose construction took several years. The Church was consecrated only in 1964 and completed in 1975. Inside, the 350 square metre Apse boasts one of the largest modern single-subject mosaics in the world, depicting the Mystery of Creation.
Riserva Naturale dei Laghi Lungo e Ripasottile
The “Riserva Naturale dei Laghi Lungo e Ripasottile”, the 3000-hectare ancient basin at the foot of Mount Terminillo, includes the two small lakes Lungo and Ripasottile. Thanks to reeds and hygrophilous forests, the Reserve is perfect for birdwatching, especially in winter. Among the shrubs, hops, a traditional ingredient in many local recipes, is harvested.
The most renowned specialities of Rieti are the fregnacce alla sabinese and pasta with olive, mushroom and artichoke sauce. These and many other typical dishes are offered at end of August during the event “Le Osterie dei Pozzi”, the evening opening of the taverns in Rieti.
The pizzicotti alla liscionara, homemade pasta from the local peasant tradition, can be tasted in mid-August at the dedicated festival in the foothill hamlet of Lisciano. The dough was once pinched in boiling water to obtain small irregular pieces. This speciality is listed among the PAT “ Prodotti Agroalimentari Tradizionali del Lazio” selected by MASAF “Ministero dell’agricoltura, della sovranità alimentare e delle foreste”
Rieti Cuore Piccante – Facebook @fieramondialedelpeperoncino
At the “Rieti Cuore Piccante, Fiera Campionaria Mondiale del Peperoncino”, at end of August, many varieties of chili pepper from all over the world are exhibited.
Speaking of sport, Rieti has been participating for sixty years at the “Cronoscalata Rieti – Terminillo and Coppa Bruno Carotti”, held from the end of July to the beginning of August, a special opportunity to witness the spectacular challenges of the best national drivers and to admire the most beautiful views of Rieti and its surroundings.
Festa del Sole and Palio della Tinozza
The Festa del Sole has been celebrated with great enthusiasm in Rieti in mid-July for over fifty years. Ten districts participate to five races along the Velino River, to conquer the gonfalon: the competition of the pole, the swimming race, the bicycles, the river boats, and the traditional Palio della Tinozza.