The village of Scandriglia lies along the ridge of Monte Serrapopolo, among the beech forests of the Monti Lucretili Natural Park. Around the medieval historic centre, stand the ruins of Roman villas, the Roman Bridge, and several milestones.
Scandriglia – parcolucretili.it
Worth visiting in Scandriglia is the Renaissance Palazzo degli Anguillara, with its façade featuring a Gothic window and interiors decorated with frescoes from the school of Antoniazzo Romano. Another unmissable monument is the medieval Church of the Assunta. Renovated in the eighteenth century, it preserves paintings from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, a sixteenth-century polychrome wooden sculpture of the Virgin and Child, and a bell tower built on the remains of a Roman watchtower.
The Convent of San Salvatore Minore – visitscandriglia.it
Scandriglia hosts one of the most important monasteries in Sabina. Dedicated to San Salvatore Minore, this splendid convent was built in the eleventh century by Marquis Uberto in Romanesque style. It sits on the slopes of Monte Pendente and can only be reached on foot. The library houses ancient books and manuscripts.
Scandriglia panorama – Facebook @pro.scandriglia
The twelfth-century Convent of San Nicola, immersed in a lush forest on the slopes of Monte Pereatti, the mountain overlooking Scandriglia, includes a cloister, a refectory, a library, and the friars’ cells. This complex too is only reachable on foot.
In the Contrada Santa Barbara, just outside the village, stands the rural Church of the patron saint Santa Barbara, who was martyred by her father just on this spot, whereas her body was transferred to the cathedral of Rieti in the nineth century. The church preserves, in the apse, a splendid Madonna delle Grazie.
On December 4 in Scandriglia, a great feast in honour of Santa Barbara is celebrated.
Ponticelli Sabino di Scandriglia – photo by Andrea Morbidelli @Via di Francesco
The hamlet of Ponticelli Sabino lies on the fourth stage of St. Francis’ Way, part of the Rete dei Cammni del Lazio. The Franciscan Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie, built by Franciscan friars in 1350, houses an image of the Virgin and Child, said to be miraculous.
Scandriglia
The hamlet of Ponticelli Sabino boasts the thirteenth-century Church of Santa Maria del Colle, with its Romanesque façade and interiors decorated with votive frescoes from the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries.
Here, in August, the traditional handmade pasta Maccaruni are celebrated on the terrace of the Orsini Castle with a festival accompanied by music, stilt walkers, jugglers, and tastings of delicious local cuisine. The event commemorates the history of Scandriglia, which, from 1400 to 1600, was intertwined with the one of the Orsini Family.
The Sagne Festival in Scandriglia
Two important events in Scandriglia are the feast of the sagne, typical handmade fettuccine topped with a traditional sauce celebrated every August since 1986, and the Polentone alla Carbonara festival, held in mid-December. During the event, it will be possible to visit typical Christmas markets and enjoy delicious polenta with bacon and sausage, the traditional dish of the ancient woodcutters, the Carbonari.
Uomini & Cavalli a Scandriglia – visitscandriglia.it
At the end of August, the Uomini & Cavalli – Western Spirit Pro Rodeo brings together the butteri of the Maremma Laziale, the Sabine cowboys, and the overseas traditions. Equestrian shows and rides for children alternate with workshops, local and Tex-Mex cuisine, country music and dancing.