Tour of Castelli Romani

What is the trip about

The origins of Albano Laziale, a charming town of the Castelli Romani a few kilometers from Rome, are mysterious, and are lost in the mists of time. According to tradition, the name of Albano derives from that of Albalonga, the mythical city founded by Ascanio, son of Aeneas, and narrated in Virgil’s Aeneid. This conviction is supported by the same municipal coat of arms bearing the image of the white sow with the thirty little pigs. This, in fact, would be the metaphor of the role of “mother” that Albalonga had towards the Latins. As a result, it rose to the role of sacred capital of the thirty cities of the Latin League.

Lying on a tufaceous cliff at whose feet are dense forests, which go back along the slopes of Monte Cavo, is the elegant Ariccia, which despite having suffered the same unfortunate fate of the other towns of the Castelli Romani, destroyed by the last war is one of the countries that have best preserved the original urban lines. Surrounded by rolling volcanic hills covered with lush chestnut woods, which hide among the dense vegetation remains of ancient Roman civilization, Ariccia has for centuries been the destination of many travelers, who come to these places to admire the harmonious combination of art, history and nature.

Thanks to its magnificent panorama, its geographical position and its climate, Nemi is undoubtedly one of the most famous and popular villages of the Castelli Romani. Furthermore, over the years it has been able to keep alive the cultural and gastronomic traditions expressed magnificently with very popular typical products and annual events where the number of enthusiasts participating is increasing.In particular, the Strawberry Festival, a tasty seasonal fruit that Nemi is one of the largest producers in the area. The event takes place in June each year and in addition to tasting the delicious fruit we can admire the women of the village dressing up with traditional clothes.

On the slopes of Monte Cavo, in the heart of the Alban Hills, stands the well-known village of Rocca di Papa, according to some heirs of the ancient Cabum. Castelli Romani have always been a land of secrets and legends. Inhabited by the most remote civilizations, then by the Latins and finally become a privileged retreat of the Roman patricians, the volcanic hills south of Rome still preserve the traces of the numerous historical stratifications that took place in the area. Very well known as a quiet resort, few know, however, that in its territory there are some of the most mysterious and disturbing places in Lazio. Despite being, at least in part, formally included in the area of the Regional Park of the Castelli Romani, the territory of Rocca di Papa is a bit ‘the symbol of failure to respect the exceptional environmental heritage of the Alban Hills.