Cineto Romano
Cineto Romano: a little gem in Lazio
If you enjoy exploring small Italian villages and discovering their history, then Cineto Romano might be the place for you! This Comune, located in the metropolitan city of Rome Capital in Lazio, has only 587 inhabitants and is situated at the foot of the Lucretili Mountains. In this short guide, we offer an overview of the physical geography and history of Cineto Romano.
Physical geography
Terrain
The terrain of Cineto Romano is mainly hilly, with numerous small seasonal watercourses. Among these, the most interesting are the Scarpa Stream and the Rioscuro Waterfalls, whose waters flow into the Ferrata Stream, which in turn is a tributary of the Aniene.
Climate
The climate of Cineto Romano is classified in zone E with the code 2129 GR/G.
History
Ancient Times
The history of Cineto Romano has ancient roots dating back to prehistoric times. Thanks to the presence of forests rich in game and springs, hunting and fishing were highly prevalent already during the Paleolithic era. During the Bronze Age, the territory of Cineto Romano was traversed by local transhumance following the parafluvial droveway towards the Roman countryside and the Tyrrhenian coast.
In pre-Roman times, the territories of Cineto Romano were inhabited by the Equi, an Italic people settled near Sabina. One of the most important testimonies of this period is represented by the Archaic Necropolis located in the Casal Civitella area, on the border between Riofreddo and Cineto Romano, which dates back to the 6th-5th centuries BC.
Roman Period
During the Roman period, Cineto Romano was traversed by the Via Valeria, a military road built in 307 BC by the censor Marcus Valerius Maximianus that connected Rome to the Adriatic. The Valeria was composed of two routes: the Valeria vetus, which crossed Mount S. Elia, and the Valeria nova, which followed the Aniene before joining the vetus near Riofreddo.
The position of Cineto Romano, located at a crossroads between these two roads, meant that the statio ad Lamnas was established here, an important stopover for travelers. This place consisted of a set of buildings located on either side of the Valeria and became a fundamental link with the Adriatic through Samnium.
Conclusions
Cineto Romano is a little gem hidden in the Lazio countryside, once crossed by the Via Valeria and with a millenary history dating back to the prehistoric era. You will be fascinated by its forests, springs, and watercourses, which characterize its natural aspect. If you are near Rome and want to discover a place outside the usual tourist circuits, Cineto Romano is the right place!
