Poggio Sommavilla: Discover Archaeology and Sabine Culture

An important exhibition venue is the Museo Civico Archeologico di Magliano Sabina. The museum is located in Palazzo Gori at Via Sabina 19 and dedicates part of its second floor to finds from the archaeological area of Poggio Sommavilla. This makes it possible to understand the connection between the site and the surviving collection pieces without confusing today’s landscape with a visibly preserved excavation site.

From the Necropolis to the Sabine Script

In Room 12 of the Museo Civico Rieti, finds from the necropolis of Poggio Sommavilla illustrate the period from the Archaic era to the threshold of Romanization. The Museo Civico Rieti also houses an Attic kylix from Poggio Sommavilla.

The Fiaschetta is particularly striking: an amulet pendant made of brown pottery, bearing an inscription from the 7th century BC. The inscription on the Fiaschetta is considered the oldest example of Sabine writing. The piece was discovered in 1895 as part of the grave goods from Tomb III in the necropolis of the Archaic centre of Poggio Sommavilla.

The excavation history also conveys the significance of the archaeological region. Around ten graves were discovered there during excavations in the 19th century. A further 48 graves were uncovered during an excavation campaign carried out between 1983 and 1986. Some graves show Etruscan influences. However, no visible remains can be seen on site at the necropolis of Poggio Sommavilla.

Station and Planned Routes

Collevecchio-Poggio Sommavilla station is located on the Fiumicino–Orte railway line. For your travel planning, this provides a specific point of reference in the regional transport network; its location alone, however, does not allow any conclusions to be drawn about timetables or current accessibility.

The Via dei Sabini is designed as a cultural route. It is intended to connect the museums of Magliano Sabina and Fara Sabina and pass by the necropolis of Poggio Sommavilla. In addition, a project by the Lazio Region envisages structuring and making walkable the route from the access road to the village of Poggio Sommavilla to the area of the Sabine graves. For your planning, you should therefore regard these two route connections as planned developments rather than automatically assuming they are already walkable routes.

Sabine Cuisine on a Fixed Date

From 12 June to 14 June, celebrations in honour of Saint Anthony of Padua take place at the Bocciodromo in Poggio Sommavilla. Every evening from 8 p.m., there is a food stand serving typical Sabine dishes. If you coordinate your stay with this period, the event complements the archaeological perspective with an insight into regional festival culture and cuisine.

Choose Accommodation Based on Your Interests

When choosing a hotel or other accommodation for Poggio Sommavilla, you can clearly weigh your priorities against one another: museum visits in Magliano Sabina and Rieti, the archaeological history of the necropolis, a possible stay around the celebrations, or an interest in planned cultural and route projects. The key is to view the present-day visible site, the displayed finds, and the planned route connections as distinct elements of your trip.

More Destinations

For comparison with other destinations, you can also view Borgo Velino, Collegiove, Tarano, Montopoli Di Sabina, Torricella In Sabina, Montebuono, Colli Sul Velino, and Santa Maria.

For the higher-level travel overview: Rieti.