Riofreddo developed around a Roman fort built to guard the ancient Via Valeria, of which only a few traces, with the typical Roman stone paving, remain, as well as a bridge, attributed to the Consul Cocceius Nerva. It is located about an hour from Rome by car, on the border with the Abruzzo region.
The area has other archaeological sites at Casal Rotondo, which include three necropolises dating from various periods.
The most interesting one dates from 1000 BC and is of the Aequian period. Recently some interesting relics have been brought to light, including an Aequi warrior’s dagger, which is displayed along with other finds in the Municipal Museum of Arts and Culture. The name Riofreddo [cold stream] derives from the local climate which is generally quite chilly, especially when the north-easterly or northerly winds blow.
Well worth visiting are the Oratory of the Annunziata and the Colonna Castle; the Palazzo Sebastiani del Grande, the ruins of the ancient Monastery of San Giorgio, the remains of a Roman bridge and the Museum of Cultures ‘Villa Garibaldi’.
The important noble houses that ruled Riofreddo as a fiefdom were the Colonna and the Del Drago. The Colonna-Riofreddo families dwelt in the fort, while the Del Drago only resided there for short periods, preferring to lease out the fief.
The gastronomic tradition is of the highest quality and of ancient origin; mutton and pork, either roasted or grilled, are the mainstays of Riofreddo cooking. A Christmas cake made of walnuts and honey, the “nociata”, is still produced,while at Easter, it is the turn of a home-made “pizza”, a sweet cake made of yeast-raised dough.
On the cheese front, two are highly recommended: the local pecorino, fresh or mature, and the ricotta. The local chestnuts are outstanding, and even merit a festival in their honour in November.