Rivodutri is nestled in the Lungo and Ripasottile Lakes Reserve and is characterised by the Alchemical Gate, the Beech Tree of St. Francis and the Spring of St. Susanna, the natural monument with the underwater nativity scene.
Rivodutri
The village of Rivodutri dates back to the year 1000. Its history was marked by the struggles between the Guelphs and Ghibellines and by the imposition of the Government of the Papal State, by Cardinal Giovanni Vitelleschi who, in 1436, partially destroyed the village. It took about a century to rebuild it. Today it preserves the Church of San Michele Arcangelo and the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Valle, from the 18th century, with the rock painting of the Virgin.
Alchemical Arch in Rivodutri
In the Grotte San Nicola area we find the remains of the Villa of the Roman senator Quinto Assio, now an archaeological site. In the historic centre, the Alchemical Arch stands out, a portal with splendid bas-reliefs, carved in limestone, characterized by friezes, symbols and inscriptions of an alchemical, mythological, and sacral nature.
This monumental arch was built in the early 1600s to provide access to the Camiciotti family palace. At the time, it was fashionable to study esoteric sciences, and the Camiciotti family hired a sculptor and an alchemist to embellish the palace and the main door. The identity of the two artists is still unknown, and the sumptuous residence no longer exists, but the door is still in Rivodutri, now opening onto a garden.
San Francesco Beech
Rivodutri is located on the first stage of the Way of St. Francis, starting from Labro and ending at the Convent of Poggio Bustone. The Beech Tree of St. Francis is an important reminder of the saint’s visit to Rivodutri. Not far from the beech tree is the small church of San Francesco al Cepparo, on a plateau at 1,090 meters above sea level.
Riserva Naturale Laghi Lungo e Ripasottile – foto di Cristina Annibali @parchilazio.it
The Laghi Lungo e Ripasottile Nature Reserve is a wetland area that is perfect for birdwatching. Numerous species of birds nest here, flying over reeds and yellow water lilies with their striking blooms on the surface of the water. There are also willows, elder trees, poplars and hop bushes, traditionally used in local recipes.
Trout swim in the streams. In August, the Organic Trout and Prawn Festival is held, featuring a triumph of traditional fish dishes, such as carp with sesame seeds. Other typical local dishes include fried pizza with local pecorino cheese and “serpentone”, a Christmas dessert made with hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and dried figs.
Underwater Nativity Scene of the Santa Susanna Source in Rivodutri – Facebook @plrivodutri
The Santa Susanna Source is a natural monument since 1977 within the Lungo and Ripasottile Lakes Reserve. Here, in the Santa Reatina Valley, a Nativity is hidden in the depths, the Underwater Nativity Scene of the Santa Susanna Source in Rivodutri.
Presepe Subacqueo nelle Sorgenti di Santa Susanna a Rivodutri
The fact of being the only Underwater Nativity scene set up inside a spring, a natural monument of the Lazio Region, makes it unique in Central Italy. The Nativity scene is made with fiberglass statues, approximately 1.5 meters high and placed 4 meters deep, in the clear waters. The headlights in this unusual environmental setting allows night vision, giving strong emotions.
Among the curiosities of Rivodutri we find the typical carnival mask, called the Zanno, among the first carnival masks in the Rieti area, with which the Moresca was staged, an ancient representation of the struggle between good and evil.
Rivodutri is one of the rural municipalities in Lazio that in 2025 received recognition from Spighe Verdi, a programme promoted by the Foundation for Environment Education in collaboration with Confagricoltura, which rewards those who invest in sustainable agriculture, clean energy, land management and active community participation.