According to scholars, the ancient history of Vignanello is testified by traces of human settlements in the area, dating back to the prehistoric period. In Faliscan and Etruscan times, Vignanello certainly was an active urban centre, as witnessed by the Necropolis of Valle della Cupa, densely inhabited starting from the ninety century BC.
The centre of Vignanello
Walking through the charming alleys and squares of Vignanello, we will come across important buildings, such as the Castello Ruspoli from 1531.
The Castello Ruspoli in Vignanello
The current structure of the Castle dates back to its reconstruction commissioned by Count Sforza Marescotti and projected by Antonio da Sangallo il Giovane between 1531 and 1538. Thus, the pre-existing medieval fortress was turned into the majestic grey-stone Castle that we see today.
The Italian Garden of Castello Ruspoli
The Castle also includes the magnificent Garden of Ottavia Orsini, which makes it one of the most beautiful monuments in Lazio. Created in 1611 in the area behind the building, the Garden still preserves its original plan commissioned by Ottavia Orsini, daughter of Giulia Farnese and Vicino Orsini, founder of the “Parco dei Mostri” in Bomarzo.
At the centre of a perfect geometric design, stands a basin with fountain surrounded by four peperino arches with balustrades.
Also worth a visit is the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria della Presentazione in piazza della Repubblica,
consecrated by Pope Benedetto XIII in 1725.
Vignanello boasts other interesting attractions, such as the Church of San Giovanni Decollato from 1614 and the Church of the Santissimi Angeli Custodi from 1705, located at the top of the Borgo del Molesino, where a Portal by Vignola from 1692 is to be found.
Furthermore, it is known that Handel, the world-famous composer, spent the entire Summer 1707 at the Court of Vignanello as a guest of the patron of the arts Francesco Maria Ruspoli.
The Connutti, a network of underground tunnels still visible today, were probably dug by the Faliscans for the collection of water, and expanded in the Middle Ages, maybe for defensive purposes.
Visit to the Connutti – photo by FB Pro Loco Vignanello
You can visit the tunnels only on guided tours, equipped with a helmet and a bright torch, and walk through them from the Chapel of Maria SS. dei Sette Dolori, to the vicinity of the Castle subterranean.
Typical products and dishes to be tasted in the numerous characteristic taverns of Vignanello are the gnocchi co’ i fero with sausage sauce and pecorino, the excellent Tuscia DOP extra virgin olive oil, and the hazelnut, basic ingredient of biscuits like tozzetti or crucchi. Worth enjoying is also the Pamparito, a cake to be accompanied by cured meats, hard-boiled eggs and caciotta. The territory also boasts excellent wines, such as the Vino DOC Vignanello and its varieties.
Numerous Feasts are joyfully celebrated in the village by citizens and visitors from the surrounding areas. Among the most important ones, stand out the Wine Festival in mid-August and the Carnevale Vignanellese with float parades, music and masks, as well as the Living Tombola on December 26th, with mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, the Flower Festival of Corpus Domini, and the Oil and New Wine Festival.