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On weekends it is nice to go exploring places surrounded by nature with interesting stories behind them. Trips out of doors enrich us and allow us to escape from the chaos of the metropolis.
Near Rome there are many wonderful natural places… If you are looking for some adventure to take, here are 10 villages to discover. Taste new flavors, get carried away by local stories, take fantastic photographs to immortalize your trip! Which destination is your favorite?
Calcata
Just an hour from Rome lies the magical village of witches: Calcata. According to an ancient legend, some witches live here. What we know for sure is that once you cross the entrance, you find yourself in an enchanting place, full of stories and buildings of other times. The village is frequented by many artists who find their refuge in the characteristic workshops.
One place not to be missed is Opera Bosco Museum of Art in Nature, opened in 1996. It is a museum-laboratory of contemporary art within the Treja Valley Park in Calcata.
Bomarzo
The town in the Viterbo area, which has just over 1,700 inhabitants, features characteristic medieval-looking buildings. Bomarzo is best known for the Monster Park. In fact, 90 km from Rome is this particular park made at the behest of Prince Pier Francesco Orsini, after the death of his wife Giulia Farnese. In addition to the Park, we recommend seeing Palazzo Orsini, built on the remains of an ancient medieval castle.
Collalto Sabino
Collalto Sabino is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Its name comes from its location on a hill and from the lords of the territory: the Collalto family. This place out of time is characterized by narrow streets and stairways that lead to the Baronial Castle and the square, where you can admire a beautiful panorama and the Cervia and Navegna Mountains Regional Nature Reserve. The 12th-century castle, built in the shape of a V, is now an elegant hotel often chosen to celebrate romantic events.
Caprarola
In the province of Viterbo, we find Caprarola, a wonderful village between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Caprarola, for its tourist-environmental quality, holds the Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club. This place is characterized by narrow alleys, underpasses, bridges, stairs and picturesque corners. One particular thing is the division of the town through the Via Dritta; the medieval part of the historic center extends at the foot of the Palazzo Farnese. A Renaissance facade was rebuilt to the medieval buildings (the medieval one can still be seen at the back). Piazza Vittorio Emanuele falls within the Renaissance part.
Civita di Bagnoregio
124 km from Rome we find the so-called dying town: Civita di Bagnoregio. The village, where only a few families live now, is crumbling, and tomorrow it will no longer be possible to admire it. Civita is reached by a narrow 300-meter bridge. This place is enchanting: you can admire the medieval houses (the current appearance dates back to the end of the Middle Ages), churches and the beautiful Albana gate. In addition, there are also restaurants, where you can taste typical local dishes. It is located 62 km from Rome.
Bracciano
Bracciano is a medieval town famous for its lake and its Orsini-Odescalchi castle. However, there are also other buildings to see: the Cathedral of Santo Stefano, the church of Santa Maria Novella, and the Museo Civico, a former Augustinian convent. Around the castle wind the ancient narrow streets and houses built with lava stone.
Bracciano is 48 km from Rome, about an hour’s drive. We also recommend a visit to Anguillara Sabazia, another village overlooking Lake Bracciano.
Tarquinia
Fancy discovering the Etruscans? In Tarquinia it is possible thanks to the many artifacts found in this area. In the National Museum, in Palazzo Vitelleschi, there is one of the largest collections from the Etruscan period. But in town you can also discover buildings bearing witness to the medieval era, such as the Church of Santa Maria di Castello. Then in fine weather we recommend an escape to the sea. It is 100 km from Rome, about an hour and a half by car.
Frascati
Frascati is nicknamed by many “the pearl of the Castelli Romani.” We are really only a short distance from Rome (especially the southern quadrant of the capital). Frascati with its small alleys, its villas surrounded by greenery and its views of the Eternal City is all to be discovered. In the summer, you can also frequent the historic taverns, where once the inhabitants brought their food from home and the innkeeper was asked for a drink.
Nemi
Recently joined the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, Nemi is absolutely worth discovering! Located in the Castelli Romani, it is known for its lake and for the production of wild strawberries. In fact, every year on the first weekend of June the Strawberry Festival is staged, allowing people to taste these small fruits, enjoy parades through the town and concerts. Its narrow streets and views certainly make it a romantic and charming village.
Olevano Romano
Olevano Romano is an enchanting hillside village, just waiting to be discovered. Many will be familiar with its wine, Olevano Romano DOC, but not everyone knows that the center dates back at least to Roman times. It offers the opportunity to discover the Olevano Civic Museum of Art, the Colonna Castle, the churches of Santa Margherita and San Rocco, and Casa Baldi, home of the Bonn Academy of Fine Arts. We recommend taking a walk in the Acqua Santa Park and eating at an agritourism, such as La Polledrara.