Catino
Poggio Catino: a town in the province of Rieti
Hello friends, today I will talk to you about Poggio Catino, an Italian town with around 1246 inhabitants in the province of Rieti, in Lazio. The town includes two villages: Poggio Catino and Catino (Poggio Catino) which, although part of the same administration, have two distinct historic centers.
Physical geography
Territory
Poggio Catino is located about 387 meters above sea level, on the southwestern slopes of the Sabini Mountains. It is situated in a densely populated wooded area, immersed in the green countryside and pristine nature.
Climate
Poggio Catino's climate falls under climatic zone D, with an average annual rainfall of 2069 GR/G.
History
Poggio Catino has an ancient history dating back to the Roman era, during which the territory was known and exploited by the Romans who built country residences. However, the origin of the town as a distinct and unitary territorial entity dates back to the late 7th century, when some Lombard tribes, deviating their march towards Sabina, gave rise to many of the villages present in the area.
Today's Poggio Catino was built on the nearby Mount Moricone, because the buildable space near Catino (Poggio Catino) was very narrow. The process of building the new village was completed in the period preceding 1093, when the existence and consistency of the new 'Castrum' was already recorded in the registers of the abbey of Farfa. In the twelfth century, the villages of Catino and Poggio Catino also ended up constituting themselves into free municipalities.
Later, during the Middle Ages, Poggio Catino came under the control of numerous noble families, including the Counts of Tuscolo, the Orsini, the Savelli, the Vitelli, and the Capizucchi. It was under the dominion of Capizucchi that the feud was elevated to the dignity of a marquisate by Pope Clement VIII.
In 1614, the feud of Catino and Poggio Catino was acquired by the Olgiati family, who held it until 1816. After the French domination and restoration, Giovanni Olgiati renounced his jurisdictional rights. The unification of the two villages into a single entity only occurred with the annexation of the territory to the Kingdom of Italy.
Symbols
The coat of arms and the flag of the municipality of Poggio Catino were granted by decree of the President of the Republic on September 18, 1984. The flag is a split cloth of blue and red.
Monuments and places of interest
Religious architectures
Poggio Catino is famous for its magnificent religious architectures. The Church of Sant'Eustachio in Catino, located in the homonymous square, is a monument of great architectural importance. The Church of San Rocco in Poggio Catino, dating back to the fourteenth century, has a beautiful clock on the facade and an apse with fifteenth-century frescoes.
Civil architectures
Poggio Catino also offers suggestive civil architectural monuments. Among these, there is the Lombard Tower with the fortified ruins of Catino, considered a real tourist gem of the city. The Olgiati Palace, located in Poggio Catino, houses the town hall.
Archaeological remains
Finally, Poggio Catino also boasts some archaeological remains of great historical value. Among these, we find the Thermal Baths of Silla, a Roman site dating back to the Republican era.
In conclusion, Poggio Catino is a town full of charm and history, where art, culture, and nature blend together in a splendid ensemble. I invite you to discover all its treasures, to give yourself a unique and unforgettable experience.
