Sacrofano, a small medieval village of volcanic origins, stands within the Parco di Veio, against the slopes of Monte Musino, and by the caldera of the ancient Sacrofano Volcano. The latter’s activity originated two solfataras in the past, one can be easily reached on foot, the other can only be admired from the top of a cliff, a breathtaking view of the white walls that fall into the green valley.
The village mythological name derives from “Sacrum Fanum”, the sacred temple of the Thundering Jupiter and Hercules Musino, whose remains were found on the slopes of Monte Musino. aAnother hypothesis is that the toponym originated from the word scrofa, the sow, who could find the perfect habitat here, with plenty of water and oak woods. It is no coincidence that on the coat of arms of of Sacrofano a sow is depicted.
The horse is another symbol of Sacrofano, hence known as the Land of Horses. Do not miss a visit to “I Cavalli di Tanzi”, a permanent exhibition of contemporary paintings portraying horses.
Historic bell tower – photo by Gianni Gualerni
The eleventh century Romanesque bell tower by the Church of San Giovanni Battista dominates the village. In the vestibule of the Church stands a heavy bell, in use until 1799, which bears an inscription from 1357.
Via di Mezzo – photo by Gianni Gualerni
Walking through the streets of the centre, we come across the ancient Jewish Ghetto, inhabited until the Italian Unification. Then, we reach Palazzo Placidi – Serraggi, an eighteenth-century building in late Baroque style, and the Church of San Biagio, dating back to the second half of the 1400s, and renewed in the 1700s. The gilded coffered ceiling and the paintings portray the miracles of the Patron Saint to whom the Church is dedicated.
The natural and archaeological beauties around the village can be reached on foot, on horseback, or by mountain bike, immersed in the flourishing Scrub of Sacrofano. In the archaeological site of Monte Musino, there once stood the remains of an altar dedicated to Jupiter, while today horses and Maremma cows graze on grass.
Sacrofano once belonged to the Etruscan town of Veio, the Agro Veientano, and then became a Church property. Later, it was fortified against the Saracens and, in the end, became a fiefdom of the Orsini and Chigi families.
Palio della Stella
Every year in September, during the Palio della Stella, historical reenactments in period custom, based on popular medieval legends, are staged. It is said that, at the time of the Crusades, the knight Desiderio fell in love with Tommasina. The challenge between the noble knight and a tyrant who subjugated Sacrofano came to a happy ending. Every year, knights from the seven districts of the town compete in a spear and horse tournament, the Palio, trying to skewer the three stars and hit the three rings and the effigy of the Saraceno in the shortest time possible.
The Tevere Day, a big three-day festival held in October, includes around 150 events along the banks of the Tiber River, through the towns of Nazzano, Capena, Formello, Sacrofano, Rome, Ostia and Fiumicino. Sport events and cultural, environmental activities unfold along a route of over 80 km.
Pappardelle with wild boar sauce
Let us taste the simple peasant dishes, such as the pappardelle with wild boar, celebrated in a festival at the end of October, or the Zaccagnotto, thick and short fettuccine only prepared with water and flour. Do not forget to appreciate the Acquacotta, a soup made with wild herbs, olive oil, pecorino cheese, eggs, and toasted stale bread, or the Ciambella di San Nicola, a typical doughnut offered to children on December 6, during the Saint’s Feast.