The village of San Gregorio da Sassola is located in a territory that was part of the Ancesano estate, donated by Gregory the Great in 587 to the monastery of Sant’Andrea al Celio. It lies 40 kilometres from Rome, and its medieval core is built according to the classic scheme with the baronial castle at the apex and two main entrances: one in Piazza Brancaccio and the other at the ancient Porta Peti. Even the baroque expansion of the village structure is peculiar.
San Gregorio should be visited on foot, to be captivated by the characteristic alleys (such as the one of San Giuseppe), stopping to sip a coffee in the squares, such as Piazza Montanara, where time truly seems to have stopped.
Brancaccio Castle, built in the 10th century and modified in the mid-17th century, is certainly worth a visit. The dedicated parish church of San Gregorio Magno from 1537 preserves a fourteenth-century panel with the image of the Savior and the sixteenth-century Church of the Madonna della Cavata, hosts frescoes and a fourteenth-century image of the Madonna, according to legend, miraculously found underground by some farmers working in the fields.
The name of the village is rather recent and dates back to the period following the unification of Italy, in the mistaken belief that it corresponded to the ancient city of Saxula.
The gastronomic tradition includes olive, an important product of the local economy. Among the first courses, polenta, sagne co’jaju pistatu, homemade fettuccine seasoned with ragù, tomato and lots of garlic. The wild boar ham and flaky pizzas, the Caciotte, the sheep ricotta and pecorino are also typical products of the numerous local farms. Among the desserts, donuts with wine and anise, pangiallo and pampepato.
Near San Gregorio we recommend a visit to the Terme Acque Albule in Tivoli.