Monteflavio
Monteflavio: a small mountain town in the heart of Lazio
Monteflavio is a small Italian municipality located in the metropolitan city of Rome Capital in Lazio. The town has about 1,200 inhabitants and is famous for its mountainous location and the beauty of its landscapes. In this text, we will talk about the geographical and climatic characteristics of Monteflavio, its history, and its urban structure.
Physical geography
Territory
Monteflavio is located at an altitude of 858 meters above sea level, on the northern foothills of the Lucretili Mountains. The highest peaks of the Lucretili Mountains include Mount Pellecchia, which reaches 1,350 meters and is located among the Municipalities of Monteflavio (RM), Scandriglia, and Licenza. There are also other peaks, such as Colle Pietropaolo, Colle della Capamassa, Monte Mozzone, Colle Macchia Petrosa, Monte Calvario, Colle Termine, and Colle Frolletta.
Climate
The climate of Monteflavio is typical of the mid-mountain areas of the Lazio Sub-Apennines. Winters are cold, with often snowy precipitation, especially because the town is located on the northern slope of Mount Pellecchia. Temperatures from December to April can drop several degrees below zero and remain stably low for many days. Summers are mild, except when African heat waves arrive, in which case temperatures can reach a maximum of 32/33 degrees. Due to the presence of surrounding reliefs, there are often intense thunderstorms.
History
Monteflavio is a relatively young town, which saw the light only in 1578. At that time, some inhabitants of Marcetelli, another town in the area, were invited by the cardinal and bishop Flavio Orsini to settle in the Montefalco estate. This was because the Marcetelliani were suffering from the cruel and intransigent lordship of the Mareri, who oppressed their subjects with unjust taxes and harassment. In exchange for migration, the inhabitants of Marcetelli received land for cultivation and grazing, as well as tax breaks from the Orsini.
The foundation of Monteflavio was established by a Capitolato, a contract that can still be seen today at the town hall. It established precise rules on the urban structure that the town would have and on the taxes that the population would have to pay to the Orsini. Monteflavio was not built "in scattered hamlets" with attached gardens and courtyards, but according to a compact structure consisting of a series of parallel streets alternated by rows of houses cut by alleys. The main road, the Via Nuova known as "Via larga" (today via A. Baccelli), connected the two main areas of the town, known as "Pétellaterra" (foot of the land) and "Castellittu"; the road created a link between the ancient cemetery church of S. Martino and the parish church of the Assumption, located on the main square at the highest point of the town.
Urban structure
To this was added the Via del Paradiso, now Via Roma, the Via del Leone, now Via G. Marconi, and the Via del Sole, still so named. Adjacent to the square was the area still called "Capanna", which is probably the place of the first settlements. Today, Monteflavio is a town renowned for the beauty of its panoramas and the peace that is breathed; the historic center, characterized by enchanting alleys and streets, is a destination for tourists and enthusiasts of trekking and nature. The town also has many fountains, small churches, and historical buildings, such as the Orsini Palace, the civic tower, and the ancient oven.
In conclusion, Monteflavio is a town that is human-sized, where you can breathe clean air and admire breathtaking landscapes. It is an ideal place for those seeking peace and rest, but also for nature and history enthusiasts. Monteflavio is a hidden gem in the heart of Lazio, waiting to be discovered.
