Sermoneta, an amazing balcony overlooking the Pontine Plain, lies on the top of a hill in the Lepini Mountains, surrounded by magnificent olive and chestnut groves and beech forests.
Sermoneta, the Orange Garden
Its evocative medieval historic centre, within the town walls, is among the best preserved in the whole territory.Not to be missed are the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria, the Church dedicated to San Giuseppe or to the Immaculate Conception, the former Synagogue, and the Church of the Annunziata.
Sermoneta, Loggia dei Mercanti – Victory photo from Adobe Stock
Also noteworthy are the Loggia dei Mercanti (the ancient municipal seat), the Convent of San Francesco with the famous five hundred years old holm oak, and the Belvedere, the panoramic terrace from where to contemplate the Pontine Plain.
Sermoneta, Castello Caetani
The gem of the town is undoubtedly the impressive Castello Caetani from the thirteenth century, dominating the historic centre, and restored by Gelasio Caetani at the end of the nineteenth century.
Thanks to the nobleman, today’s visitors may experience the life that took place in the fortress. It will be possible to admire the Cardinal Hall from the 1500s, used for receptions, the women seats by the windows, the kitchen with its large fireplace for cooking wild game, the bread oven, the water cistern, and the splendid painted rooms, where illustrious guests were welcomed.
The stables, whose reed insulated ceiling maintains a constant temperature, has been hosting the Pontine Chamber Music Festival for sixty years. And besides, some unforgettable scenes from the cult movie “Nothing Left to Do but Cry”, with the comedians Massimo Troisi and Roberto Benigni, were shot here.
Today, the protection and enhancement of the Castello Caetani in Sermoneta, of the Garden of Ninfa, the Parco Naturale di Pantanello, the monumental complex of Tor Tre Ponti in Latina and all the assets of the Caetani Family in the Pontine area, are managed by the Fondazione Roffredo Caetani, established in 1972 by Lelia Caetani, last heir of the noble family.
Sermoneta Abbey of Valvisciolo
A visit to the evocative Abbey of Valvisciolo, one of the first examples of Gothic-Cistercian architecture in Italy, has definitely to be made. The complex includes the Church, the Chapter House, the Refectory and the elegant Cloister, the highlight of the Abbey.
The Polenta Festival in Sermoneta
The most important events are the evocative re-enactment in period costumes of the Battle of Lepanto through the streets of Sermoneta and the traditional Festival of the Polenta, the typical local dish, held on the Sunday nearest to the Feast of Sant’Antonio Abate (January 17). According to an ancient shepherd recipe, this speciality is cooked on a wood fire and served in copper pots still today.
It was Guglielmo Caetani who imported the corn seeds from America to Sermoneta in the sixteenth century. After the mass in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the sacred image of Sant’Antonio Abate is carried on solemn procession, accompanied by the “Fabrizio Caroso Band”. At 12.30, polenta and bread are blessed and then distributed with sausages to the participants. The celebrations end at 3 pm with the performance of the “Ducato Caetani flag-wavers of Sermoneta”.
The canoe descent on the Cavata River
For lovers of outdoor sports, a canoe excursion along the Cavata River is a must. Then, through a path surrounded by nature, we can reach sparkling springs, and come across ancient artefacts of great historical, cultural and religious interest.
Sermoneta, located along the Appia Pedemontana stretch of the Via Francigena del Sud, has been awarded the Orange Flag Certification.