Discover Poggio Catino: Churches, Tower and Olive Oil

Poggio Catino Between Landscape and History

Poggio Catino is surrounded by hilly landscapes, dense forests and olive groves. This gives you a destination where landscape, local history and regional products can be brought together in a single itinerary. The individual places and customs provide specific points of reference for these themes.

Towers, Squares and Views as Far as Rome

The Torre Longobarda, a 33-metre-high pentagonal tower, stands in the historic centre of Poggio Catino. On clear days, the dome of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome can be seen from the top of the Torre Longobarda with the naked eye. The Church of San Rocco stands in the square of Poggio Catino. The tower, the view and the church on the square therefore shape different aspects of the townscape.

Catino: Rocca and Parish Church

The picturesque ruins of the Rocca (Castello di Catino) are located in the district of Catino. The parish church in the district of Catino is dedicated to Saint Eustace, Sant’Eustachio. Together, the two buildings give the district its own distinct historical and religious character.

San Silvestro and Living Tradition

Just outside Poggio Catino is the Church of San Silvestro, which is mentioned in the ecclesiastical register Registrum Iurisdictionis Episcopatus Sabinensis dating from 1343. On 31 December, residents carry the statue of Saint San Silvestro in a procession from the parish church to the Church of San Silvestro and back. The celebrations also include the “festarolo” ritual, in which the names of the people who are to organise the festival the following year are drawn after Mass.

Hiking Destination and Archaeological Site

The Hermitage of San Michele, a rock sanctuary carved into a cave on Monte Tancia, can be reached via a hike of approximately two hours. The Terme di Silla archaeological site near the cemetery probably dates from the Roman Republican period. For your planning, Poggio Catino therefore combines an accessible hiking destination with a site whose dating points back to antiquity.

Summer Short-Film Cinema

Since 2024, Poggio Catino has been an official venue of the Iris Film Festival. This is a summer event dedicated to sophisticated short-film cinema. For selected short films, the directors can engage in conversation with the audience. Alongside its churches, ruins and towers, the town therefore also offers a contemporary cultural occasion.

Sabina DOP: Olive Oil from the Surrounding Area

The characteristic product of the area around Poggio Catino is Sabina DOP extra virgin olive oil, which is among the most highly regarded products of Lazio. The connection with the surrounding area is therefore evident not only in the olive groves but also in a regional product. If you wish to incorporate culinary aspects into your trip, this product offers a specific point of reference.

The layout of Poggio Catino is also relevant when choosing the location of your accommodation: the town consists of two separate districts approximately 1 km apart. You can take this spatial distinction into account when dividing your days between the Torre Longobarda, the churches, Catino, the hike to San Michele and the town’s cultural attractions.

If you would like to discover more places in the same region: Roccaranieri, Casali, Colle Di Tora, Magliano Sabina, Longone Sabino, Talocci, Gavignano Sabino and Stimigliano.

For the higher-level travel overview: Rieti.