Arcinazzo Romano
Arcinazzo Romano: a hidden gem in Lazio
If you're planning a vacation in central Italy, don't miss out on Arcinazzo Romano, a charming Lazio commune with only 1260 inhabitants. Located about an hour's drive from Rome Capital, this village offers a wonderful immersion in nature and history.
Physical Geography
The territory of Arcinazzo Romano is known for the unique hamlet of Altipiani di Arcinazzo, located about 1200 meters above sea level and offering a breathtaking view. Divided with the municipality of Trevi nel Lazio, Piglio, and Arcinazzo Romano, Altipiani di Arcinazzo is a mountain tourist destination, characterized by an alpine appearance.
In the municipality's territory, there are the Affilani Mountains, with the peaks of Mount Pianezze reaching 1332 meters above sea level and Mount Altuino, whose peak reaches 1271 meters above sea level. Thanks to this position, Arcinazzo Romano enjoys a climate characterized by cold winters with a strong temperature range and hot summers but with temperatures that never exceed 30 degrees. Minimum temperatures can reach -10 degrees, especially in winter months, often accompanied by snow.
Name Origins
The original name of the settlement until 1891 was Ponza, from the ''Gens Pontia'', a Roman family originating from these places. However, in 1891, the name was changed to Arcinazzo Romano, a toponym conferred upon the village with the Regio Decreto N° 287 of May 29, 1891. It is believed that Arcinazzo originated from the name of the concubine of Emperor Claudius, named ''Arcinia'', who owned a villa in the area; or from the name of a patrician of Subiaco, named ''Narcio'', who donated an ''arx'' at the foot of Mount Altuino to Pope Damasus I in the 4th century.
History
The history of Arcinazzo Romano is ancient and fascinating. The first mention of the village dates back to 720 AD when the ''Massa Pontiana'' was sold to the ''titulus'' of Sant'Eustachio in Rome. In 1087, a certain Ildemondo usurped the Castle of Ponza from the Subiaco Abbey, which regained it shortly afterward thanks to the intervention of Pope Paschal II. In 1176, Pope Alexander III granted Ponza and Affile to the Subiaco Abbey, which maintained feudal possession of it until 1735 when the possession of Ponza passed to the Apostolic Camera, which held it until 1870.
Monuments and Places of Interest
The beauty of Arcinazzo Romano, as is often the case in small villages, also lies in its ancient architecture. Below are the main sites of interest to visit.
Religious Architecture
- Church of Santa Maria Assunta (Arcinazzo Romano): built-in 1775 in baroque style, it preserves inside the canvas painted by Federico Zuccari depicting the Madonna and Saint Joseph;
- Church of San Giorgio: dating back to the twelfth century, it was rebuilt in the eighteenth century in a baroque style;
- Church of the Cross: decorated with eighteenth-century frescoes and dominated by the large wooden cross placed on the main altar;
- Church of St. Anthony Abbot: built at the beginning of the twentieth century and located in the hamlet of Altipiani di Arcinazzo;
- Chapel of Santa Lucia: also located in the hamlet of Altipiani di Arcinazzo, it dates back to the late 1700s and has a small bell tower.
Military Architecture
- Remains of the medieval tower: located near the Church of San Giorgio, this tower represents the testimony of the ancient city walls that surrounded the historic center of Arcinazzo Romano.
Archaeological Sites
- Villa of Trajan: this magnificent hunting residence villa dates back to the first century AD and belonged to one of the most important figures of the ancient world, Trajan. Although some parts of the villa are still being restored, the archaeological site has been museumized in recent years and is well-preserved. The villa covers an area of about five hectares, distributed on three terraces.
Conclusion
Arcinazzo Romano is a fascinating municipality, rich in history and natural beauties. If you're looking for a quiet place to relax and discover a bit of culture, this is the place for you. We recommend visiting the hamlet of Altipiani di Arcinazzo and the Villa of Trajan: it will surely be worth it!
