In Lazio there are ten easily reachable Big Benches, from where you can breathe the view! The best way is, after a solitary, silent walk, to sit on the coveted Big Bench and admire all those details never discovered before, in nature, as well as in our soul.
Big Bench no. 154 in Piglio – photo Facebook @annalisa.trivisone
Silent, solitary walking in the open air is a good old habit back in fashion (#silentwalking on social media). It is a way to experience being alone, without distractions or the fear of not being connected via smartphone, the only connection being with ourselves, released from stress and anxiety.
“How to go back to being a child by rediscovering the landscape”
This is the slogan of the Big Bench Community Project, by the American designer Chris Bangle, which supports local communities, involving artisans in the construction and placing of the enormous benches in scenic and accessible sites. But where are the Big Benches in Lazio?
Big Bench n. 331 in Soriano nel Cimino
Let us start with the Big Bench 331 placed in Soriano nel Cimino in 2023. It is the first Big Bench in Tuscia, the area of Viterbo, located in one of the most panoramic sites in the Old Beech Forest of Mount Cimino, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Have a seat and enjoy the breathtaking view of the scenic village of Soriano nel Cimino, immersed in a lush nature, from where the Orsini Castle peeks out. The gaze extends as far as the Apennines, the mind is free from worries and the silence is broken only by the singing of birds and the tree branches rustling in the wind. The bench is reachable from the SP 62, at Km 3.2, accessing the area of the “Parco Le Vedutelle”. From here you can walk down into the woods for about 150 metres, along a well-marked trail.
Big Bench n. 246 in Amatrice
The Big Bench 246 in Amatrice is white and bright magenta. It is placed in an orchard and nestled among rows of apple and cherry trees, at an altitude of 1000 metres. From here you can admire the panorama of the Laga Mountains and the Conca Amatriciana. The route to the bench is easy, just a few minutes walk from the car park, alongside the apple orchard. Enjoy this journey into the heart of Lazio and stop for a fabulous picnic with the typical local products in the equipped area in the woods.
Big Bench n. 382 in Fiamignano
Lovers of endless landscapes will adore Fiamignano, a village in the province of Rieti. Here, 150 metres ahead of the Church of the Madonna del Poggio, located at 1060 m.a.s.l. on a spur of rock on the slopes of Mount Serra, you will come across the Big Bench n.382. Suspended between heaven and earth, you will enjoy an amazing view of the Valle del Salto and the Lake of the same name.
Big Bench n.365 in Nespolo
The small village of Nespolo, lying in the same province, within the “Riserva Naturale Regionale Monte Cervia e Monte Navegna”, hosts the Big Bench n. 365. From here, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic sight of the entire mountain range of the Reserve, which extends as far as the more distant Lucretili and Ruffi. Behind the bench, you will find a fountain and a picnic area, as well as a few trail starting points.
Big Bench n. 389 a Borgorose
The lilac Big Bench no. 389 in Castelmenardo di Borgorose overlooks the Cicolano area from the top of the 1680 metres Mount San Mauro. This artwork is nicknamed “The Bench of the Brigands (and of Kindness)”, in memory of the local robbers gang Cartore. The stamp for your bench-passport can be requested at the bar in Collemaggiore.
Big Bench n. 265 in Sperlonga – Instagram photo @bigbenchcommunityprogect
From the mountain we reach the blue sea of the Ulysses Riviera, where, in Sperlonga, both children and adults will experience the unique emotion of sitting on the Big Bench 265. Walking along the ancient Via Flacca, we reach the top of the hill overlooking the Archaeological Area of the Villa di Tiberio and the beaches. Here we can admire this out of scale work, blue like the Tyrrhenian Sea, eco-sustainable and created by local artisans. From here, the itinerary unfolds on several trails within the Ulysses Riviera Park. The breathtaking view range from the Gulf of Gaeta to the Pontine and Flegrean Islands. And when the first stars begin to sparkle in the blue sky, we toast to life with the bubbles of Moscato di Terracina, and taste the seafood specialities of Sperlonga, immersed in an enchanted world.
Big Bench n. 154 in Piglio – Facebook photo @bigbenchpiglio154
We reach Ciociaria, where we can marvel at three Giant Benches. The Big Bench 154 in Piglio, on the Ernici Mountains is the first giant bench in Central Italy. Here we can enjoy a regenerating stop after a bicycle excursion along the cycle path, built along an old railway track. Sitting on the enormous bench you will dominate the valley below and watch the paragliders taking-off from Mount Scalambra.
Big Bench n. 261 in Pontecorvo – Instagram photo @bigbenchcommunityprogect
Let us move to the Liri Valley and sit on the comfortable Big Bench 261 in Pontecorvo. Strategically located within the Monte Menola Park, this bench offers a gorgeous view of the Montecassino Abbey. The view extends over the lower Liri Valley, the Cassinate area and all Southern Lazio. Children will enjoy the playground in the surrounding picnic area, and, in the fields around, it will be possible to pick stramma, a typical graminaceous from this area.
Big Bench 328 with panorama of Fiuggi
Always in Ciociaria, we arrive to Mount Cesino in Fiuggi, a panoramic site surrounded by broom thickets, where we can climb on the white and yellow Big Bench 328. You will feel very small, and your perspective will change, by sitting and admiring the ancient village of Fiuggi and Lake Canterno.
Big Bench n. 289 in Lariano – Instagram photo @bigbenchcommunityprogect
It is time to continue towards the province of Rome and its Giant Benches. We start with the Big Bench 289 in Lariano, in Colle Magisterna. After a walk through orchards and olive groves, before the forest, you will find the yellow-green bench. It is surrounded by small wooden sculptures representing mushrooms, the symbol of Lariano, which lies in part within the Parco dei Castelli Romani. From here you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Pontine Plain, the Lepini Mountains and the Coasts of Anzio and Nettuno.
Lariano RM Big Bench for everyone n. 385 – Facebook piazza.carla @ Big Bench Community Project
On September 29, 2024, the second Giant Bench was inaugurated in Colle Fiorentino in Lariano, near the already existing Bench no. 289. From the new orange and green bench, you will enjoy an impressive view of the Prenestini and Simbruini Mountains up to the Apennines. Bench no. 385 is the special “Big Bench for everyone”, accessible through a ramp to the elderly and disabled. Lariano is therefore the first municipality in Italy hosting two giant benches.
Big Bench n. 304 in Castel San Pietro Romano – Instagram photo @bigbenchcommunityprogect
Here we are at the Big Bench 304 in Castel San Pietro Romano, from where you can enjoy one of the most beautiful and panoramic view of Mount Ginestro, not far from the Valle delle Cannucceta Natural Monument. The exciting track leading to this chestnut-coloured Big Bench winds among natural beauties and film locations.
Big Bench n. 291 in Tolfa – Instagram photo @bigbenchcommunityprogect
Finally, we reach Big Bench 291 in Tolfa, after crossing the sign markings “arcobaleno” in Macchiosi – Grasceta dei Cavallari, a destination for hikers and picnic lovers. The bench is surrounded by greenery and majestic trees enhancing its bright fuchsia colour and the panorama opens onto the hills and the village of Tolfa with its Rocca.
Big Bench 347 in Campoli Appennino – Foto Facebook @Big Bench 347 Campoli Appennino
The last but not the least is the Big Bench 347 inaugurated in May 2024. It is located in Campoli Appennino, in the locality of San Pancrazio, overlooking the valley with a view that sweeps over the Lepini and Ausoni Mountains. After the incredible walk to the Big Bench, reach the Infopoint of the PercOrsoturistico Association of Campoli Appennino. In addition to the stamp on your BBCP Passport, you will have the opportunity to be taken to visit the Piero and Leone bears that live happily in the Campoli Appennino Brown Bear Wildlife Area, a 15-hectare natural jewel within the karst sinkhole at the edge of the village.
Re-live the wonders of the past by observing something simple but wonderful and treat yourself to a day in the unusual Lazio sites. Try to feel yourself small and wonder in the face of the nature!
Big Bench passports – Instagram photo @bigbenchcommunityprogect
So as not to forget these precious moments, look for the directions by the Giant Benches and get a personalized stamp on your BBCP Passport. And do not resist the temptation of taking a selfie at the Big Benches, but only after completing the silent walking!