Castelnuovo di Farfa: Churches, History and Olive-Grove Trails

Castelnuovo di Farfa is a place where history and landscape can be read across several eras. The early medieval site of San Donato, late Baroque church architecture, ancient traces and paths through olive groves offer different starting points for a trip in which culture and nature do not have to be considered separately.

Early Medieval Traces and Churches

The Casale San Donato estate has been documented in the registers of Farfa Abbey since 768; a church is also recorded there for 817. The Chiesa Altomedievale di San Donato was built in the 9th century and is considered one of the most representative early medieval archaeological sites in central Italy.

The Chiesa Parrocchiale San Nicola di Bari also bears several historical layers. It was built in the second half of the 18th century over an earlier chapel that had been destroyed and displays the typical late Baroque character of the Roman area. Its single-nave building has an elliptical floor plan, a large presbytery and six side chapels. Above the entrance area is a gallery with the historic organ, which was restored in 1939 by the Pacifico Inzoli e figli company from Parma.

Memories of Faith and History

The Chiesa Madonna degli Angeli tells of another historical dimension. It was built in the Jubilee Year 1600 at the request of the local population as a gesture of thanks because the Virgin Mary had protected the inhabitants from the severe plague that had struck neighboring towns. The Madonna degli Angeli festival takes place every year on the first Sunday in August. For your trip planning, this date is a clear anchor in the annual calendar.

The older traces also include the remains of an ancient bridge from the 6th century. They connected the settlements of Mompeo and Castelnuovo di Farfa. Palazzo Salustri-Galli occupies a quarter of the historic center of Castelnuovo di Farfa. The ancient site of Cures and the Rocca medioevale castle are also located in the surroundings of Castelnuovo di Farfa.

Olive-Grove Trails and Landscape

The footpath through the landscape from the Museo dell'Olio della Sabina represents a connection between culture and landscape. It leads to the early medieval site of San Donato and to the Giardino degli ulivi del mondo, located near the restored church. Various olive varieties cultivated in the Mediterranean region are represented there. This makes it possible to combine a visit to the site with a view of the Mediterranean diversity of olive cultivation.

The path through the Gole del Farfa begins in Castelnuovo di Farfa at Via Cornazzano and descends through olive groves and forests of holm oaks, Turkey oaks and hornbeams to the river. If, when making your choice between churches, historic sites and nature experiences, you are weighing up the options, this path opens up a different spatial and thematic perspective on your stay.

More Destinations

Magliano Sabina, Amatrice, Montopoli di Sabina, Cantalice, Montasola, Passo Corese, Torricella in Sabina, Nespolo

To the main travel overview: Rieti.