Forano
Hi everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Forano, a beautiful municipality in the province of Rieti in Lazio. Forano has a population of 3082 inhabitants and is located on the western slopes of the Sabini Mountains. Keep reading to discover more about this fantastic place!
Physical geography
Territory
Forano is situated in a commanding position overlooking the Tevere Valley below. The view from the surrounding hills is spectacular!
Climate
Forano's climate is classified as zone D, with an annual average of 1850 GR/G. The temperatures are pleasant all year round, but summers can get hot. Remember to always bring mosquito spray!
History
Forano has a very interesting history. The town was founded in the 11th century BC as Vicus Sabini, but in the 8th century it was renamed "Forum Iani" after the construction of a temple dedicated to the god Janus. There are numerous Roman villas in the surrounding area, including the "Roman Villa in loc. Via dei Gradini" and the "Roman Villa of Sabiniano (console 505) (or Gavignano)". All of this demonstrates the area's importance both commercially and culturally.
In the 11th century, Forano became a fiefdom of the Savelli family, a noble family. Later, the castle of Forano passed to the Farfa Abbey in the 12th century. In the 16th century, the castle passed to the Strozzi and at the end of the 19th century, to the Sauve family. Today, the castle is privately owned.
Monuments and places of interest
Religious architecture
Among the most important churches in Forano are the parish church of the Trinity, built between 1675 and 1682 by Luigi Strozzi, the Church of San Pietro, dating back to 1049, the Church of San Sebastiano, restored in 1529, and the Valdismo Church, built in 1889 by Pastor Luigi Angelini. The bell of the Valdismo Church bell tower was cast in Cincinnati in 1893.
Civil architecture
Inside Forano, you can admire the beautiful Strozzi Palace, built in the second half of the 15th century. Inside, there are also 16th century frescoes.
Archaeological remains
Archaeology lovers cannot miss the Roman Villa in loc. Via dei Gradini and the Roman ruins in the hamlet of Gavignano, where the opus reticulatum walls can be found. There are also mausoleums like "Il Sassone", which recalls the famous mausoleum of Quinto Cecilio Metello Cretico on the Via Appia.
Society
Demographic evolution
Forano's demographic evolution is very interesting. In 1861, the municipality had only 2463 inhabitants. During the 20th century, the population grew steadily, reaching the current figure of 3082 inhabitants.
Infrastructure and transport
Railways
Forano is well connected with the rest of the province of Rieti thanks to the railway line between Orte and Fiumicino Airport. The nearest railway station to Forano is Stimigliano.
Administration
Forano is an autonomous municipality in the province of Rieti. The local administration is responsible for organizing public services and maintaining the city.
Twinning
At the moment, Forano has no twinning relationship with other cities. But who knows... maybe in the future!
Sports
For sports enthusiasts, Forano is home to the A.S.D. Valle del Tevere football team, which plays in the Eccellenza Lazio league. If you want to attend a game, ask the local residents. They are always ready to help tourists!
Notes
If you decide to visit Forano, be sure to bring your camera and wear comfortable shoes. The surrounding hills offer a breathtaking view, but require a bit of effort to reach.
Bibliography
For those interested in delving into the history of Forano, I recommend consulting Elio Augusto Di Carlo's book "The Castles of Sabina: from the fall of the Roman Empire to the unification of Italy".
Other projects
Forano is a truly special municipality. If you have the opportunity, I recommend visiting it. I'm sure you won't regret it!
