On the weekend it is nice to go exploring places surrounded by nature with interesting stories behind them. Out-of-town trips enrich us and allow us to escape the chaos of the metropolis.
Near Rome there are many wonderful natural places… If you are looking for some adventures to take, here are seven villages to discover. Taste new flavors, get carried away by local stories, take great photos to capture your trip! Which destination do you prefer?
1. Calcata
An hour from Rome lies the magical village of witches: Calcata. According to an ancient legend, some witches would live here. What we do know for sure is that once you walk through the entrance, you find yourself in an enchanting place full of stories and buildings from another time. 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, which opened in 1996. It is a museum-laboratory of contemporary art within the Treja Valley Park in Calcata.
2. Bomarzo
The town in the Viterbo area, which has just over 1,700 inhabitants, has characteristic medieval-looking buildings. Bomarzo is best known for the Park of the Monsters. 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.
3. 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 there is a beautiful view 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.
4. 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 old town extends to the foot of the Palazzo Farnese. The medieval buildings were given a Renaissance facade (the medieval facade can still be seen at the back). Vittorio Emanuele Square falls within the Renaissance part.
5. Civita of Bagnoregio
124 km from Rome we find the so-called dying city: Civita di Bagnoregio. The hamlet, where only a few families now live, 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 medieval houses (the current appearance dates back to the late Middle Ages), churches, and the beautiful Albana Gate. In addition, there are also restaurants, where you can taste local dishes. It is located 62 km from Rome.
6. 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, formerly the Augustinian convent. Around the castle wind the ancient lanes and dwellings built with lava stone. Bracciano is located 48 km from Rome, about an hour’s drive. We also recommend a visit to Anguillara Sabazia, another village overlooking Lake Bracciano.
7. Tarquinia
Do I want to discover the Etruscans? This is possible in Tarquinia because of the many artifacts found there. The National Museum, in Palazzo Vitelleschi, houses one of the largest collections from the Etruscan period. But in the city you can also discover buildings bearing witness to medieval times, such as the Church of Santa Maria di Castello. Then with the beautiful days we recommend an escape to the sea. It is 100 km from Rome, about an hour and a half by car.