Cervara di Roma is called “the artists’ village” because, since the early 1800s, it has been a destination and source of inspiration for numerous Italian and foreign artists, attracted by its scenic beauty, quietness and the evocative atmosphere of the village nestled among the Simbruini Mountains.
Since the 1800s, painters, engravers, poets and musicians have stayed in Cervara, leaving tangible traces of their passage through works of art, engravings, paintings and sculptures. Famous names who have worked or found inspiration here include the painter Joseph Anton Koch, the illustrator Bartolomeo Pinelli, the painter Adrian Ludwig Richter, the inventor and painter Samuel Morse, and, in more recent times, even the great master Ennio Morricone.
5 reasons to visit Cervara
If you live in Rome, you should visit this hamlet at least once in your life. Why? We’ll tell you.
The artists’ staircase
In the 1970s, this artistic vocation of the borough was further strengthened with the creation of permanent works, such as the Scalinata degli Artisti, a path adorned with sculptures, murals and poetic verses carved into the rock, making the historic center a true open-air museum.
Museum of the Mountain, Transhumance and Painters
This is an ethnographic and art museum located near the Church of Mary Most Holy of the Visitation, at G. Verdi Street No. 1. The museum is spread over two floors and documents the history, traditions and culture of the Cervarola community, focusing on three basic themes:
- Mountains and transhumance, displaying evidence of rural and pastoral life with objects related to shepherds, rural life, and itinerant crafts, as well as tools and artifacts that tell the story of women’s role in the domestic and civic economy.
- Religious traditions, a section devoted to religious festivals, confraternities (particularly that of St. Maria della Portella) and liturgical and votive objects from the local shrine.
- Artists and painters, this section documents the deep connection between Cervara and the art world.
Opening Hours: The museum is generally open on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with special openings on holidays and special occasions. Address: via Giuseppe Verdi, 1. Phone: +39 0774/828715.
Panoramic Terrace
The panoramic terrace of Cervara di Roma is located in the heart of the village, specifically in Piazza Umberto I, which is considered a kind of natural balcony over the Aniene Valley and the Simbruini Mountains. This square is the main vantage point from which there is a spectacular view of the surrounding nature and, on clear days, Rome can also be seen on the horizon.
Food
In Cervara di Roma you can enjoy traditional Latium mountain cuisine, based on local products and typical recipes born from an agro-pastoral economy. Among the most representative dishes are: fettuccine with porcini mushrooms, truffles, and mutton; grilled meats; locally produced fresh and aged pecorino and ricotta cheeses; and cured meats, legumes and seasonal vegetables, accompanied by homemade bread.
Recommended restaurants for savoring these specialties include Trattoria Ferrari, known for its authentic dishes such as porcini bruschetta, ricotta, porcini, and truffle ravioli.
Nature
If you are a nature lover, this is the place for you. Cervara di Roma is considered a mountain town. The town is located at an altitude of about 1,053 meters above sea level, making it the highest village in the metropolitan city of Rome!
It is the ideal starting point for many nature excursions, thanks to its location in the heart of the Simbruini Mountains Regional Nature Park, which offers more than 40 marked trails for trekking, mountain biking, equestrian hiking and walks of varying difficulty.