Montelibretti: History, Culture and Trails

Montelibretti brings together archaeological remains, church and aristocratic history, the Lipizzaner tradition and trails through the countryside. It is also home to the Cammino di San Francesco and the Simone Agostini sulfur oasis.

Archaeology of Eretum

The necropolis of Colle del Forno is the outermost part of the burial ground of the ancient city of Eretum near Casa Cotta in the municipality of Montelibretti. The earliest settlements there date back to the 7th century BC. The burial ground consisted of 40 underground chamber tombs and one shaft burial.

Particularly impressive is a tomb dated to 600–590 BC. It contained a princely burial with a breastplate made of gold sheet, two swords, a ceremonial two-wheeled chariot and a cart. Those interested in the region’s early history will find a tangible connection here to Eretum’s past.

Churches and Palaces

The later history can also be read in several buildings. In 1644, the Orsini fief was acquired by the Barberini family; under Taddeo Barberini, the castle was converted into a baronial palace. Palazzo Barberini dates back to the 17th century and was built on the remains of an old Orsini castle.

The Church of San Nicola di Bari was built by the Orsini family in 1535. It houses four paintings, including three from the 17th century: a Madonna and Child, as well as depictions of Saints Dominic and Catherine, attributed to the school of the Carracci brothers. The Church of Madonna del Passo is also known as Madonna del Viandante. It dates from around the 14th century and contains a valuable fresco of the Madonna del Passo. The first chapel, dedicated to Madonna del Carmine, dates approximately from the second half of the 18th century.

Lipizzaners and Intangible Cultural Heritage

ASCAL, operated by the CREA Research Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture in Montelibretti, is the state breeding facility for Lipizzaners. By ministerial decree of 9 September 2004, ASCAL was recognized as a conservation centre for the Lipizzaner breed. The tradition of Lipizzaner breeding was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022.

Sulfur Spring and Trails through the Countryside

The “Simone Agostini” sulfur oasis, locally known as Acqua Solfa, is a sulfur thermal spring in Montelibretti. Its history dates back to Roman times.

Parco dei Cavalli Bianchi is a public park in the Tenuta di Montelibretti and has four combined cycling and walking trails. The Percorso dei Cavalli Bianchi is 5.7 kilometers long. The trails in the park are flat and suitable for walking and cycling.

Cammino di San Francesco and Local Festivals

The Cammino di San Francesco passes through Montelibretti in Lazio. The fifth stage, from Ponticelli di Scandriglia to Monterotondo, is 29.4 kilometers long. Palazzo Barberini is one of the sights along this stage.

On the third Sunday in October, Madonna del Passo is celebrated with a procession and a Mass. Since the mid-1970s, the Festa della Primavera has been organized as a historical reenactment of the 16th century. The Palio degli Anelli has also been organized since the mid-1970s as a knightly competition between the town districts.

For further travel planning, you can also find Tivoli, Subiaco, Tor Vergata, Nettuno, Lanuvio, Saracinesco, Monte Compatri and San Cesareo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Rome.