Cittareale: History, Hiking and Winter Sports
Accommodation in Cittareale
Cittareale between history and landscape
Cittareale combines historical evidence with opportunities for hiking and winter sports. The Museo Civico di Cittareale opened in 2009. For travelers interested in culture, it complements the archaeological traces found in the area: excavations in Cittareale uncovered the remains of two ancient houses. One of them had an atrium and cubicula, that is, bedrooms.
Archaeological traces and religious traditions
The excavations also uncovered a large Republican building dating from around 100 BC. Between the end of the 4th century and the 7th century, the already destroyed building was used by a late antique necropolis. This chronology leads from a public building of the Republican era to the later use of the building after its destruction. If you are interested in history, Cittareale therefore offers several pieces of evidence from different periods and a correspondingly multifaceted approach to the area's past.
Religious traditions and public history are also among the defining themes. The Church of Capo d'Acqua was elevated to a parish church in 1153. Every year, a solemn procession is held, bringing the people of the entire valley together at the Santuario della Madonna di Capodacqua. The Republican building was interpreted as a public institution modeled on the Villa publica in Rome. This was used for censuses, the recruitment of troops and sporting and military exercises for local young people. For culture-focused days, religious practice, community tradition and antiquity therefore take center stage as distinct areas of interest.
Hiking and winter sports in the landscape
CAI hiking trail 472 connects Cittareale with Monte Boragine. In Selvarotonda near Cittareale, there are opportunities for alpine skiing and cross-country skiing close to the sources of the Velino. The cross-country ski trails run through oak and centuries-old beech forests. When planning your trip, it is helpful to distinguish between a hiking connection and winter sports opportunities: depending on your personal focus, you can consider these activities in the landscape separately.
A grotto and spatial orientation
Another perspective on the landscape leads underground. In 2009, the grotto reached a depth of 470 meters and a total extent of more than 4,000 meters. These dimensions add an underground aspect to the picture of Cittareale. Together with the hiking trail, the forests of Selvarotonda and the archaeological finds, they create a broad thematic range between natural surroundings and history.
For spatial orientation, you should also take the size of the municipality into account. The municipal capital is located approximately 5 kilometers from the geographical center of the municipality of Cittareale. This approximate distance is relevant for orientation within the municipality because the municipal capital and the geographical center are not at the same point.
Other places to plan your trip to Italy
San Giovanni Reatino, San Polo, Casperia, Poggio Vittiano, Toffia, Scandriglia, Poggio Moiano, Tarano
For the main travel overview: Rieti.
