Pisterzo
Pisterzo: the ancient medieval village
Welcome to Pisterzo, a beautiful hamlet of the municipality of Prossedi, located in the province of Latina, in Lazio. This small town, located on top of the Ausoni mountains, overlooks the Amaseno valley and the Lepini Mountains. Here time seems to have stopped: the town, with a perfect horseshoe shape, looks like it came out of a history book.
The meaning of the name Pisterzo
The name Pisterzo is quite mysterious and fascinating, written in some documents as "Bisterzo", in others as "Pistercio" or "Pistezzo". However, the oldest document reports it as "Prius Tertium", the "First of the Three". It is said that Pisterzo was the first of the three castles founded in the Amaseno Valley.
The history of Pisterzo
The first historical references to Pisterzo date back to 1125, when the destruction of the village by the papal troops of Honorius II is mentioned. During the period between 1028 and 1125, the small urban agglomeration gradually formed next to Prossedi, defined as Castrum in 1027 and S. Croce, later becoming Roccasecca. Pisterzo was located in another position, near the Amaseno Valley, where there was the "Torre de Pineis". Over the years, the Amaseno Valley saw the passage of imperial, papal, and Norman armies. Under the Ceccano dynasty, the name Terzo was changed to Pisterzo and its new urban location became the current one.
With the decline of the counts of Ceccano, a dark period began for Pisterzo. In 1425, with the election of Pope Martin V, Ildebrando of the Counts of Valmontone became the new feudal lord. In 1478, Pisterzo passed to Federico, abbot of San Gregorio dell'Urbe, who in 1534 transferred it to the Chigi family of Siena. In 1600, Camillo Massimo built the new church of S. Michele Arcangelo. In 1762, Francesco Camillo VII Massimo sold the fief of Pisterzo to the Marquis Angelo Gabrielli, who obtained in the same year from Pope Clement XIII the erection of the fiefdom to a principality.
The tranquility of Pisterzo
Pisterzo has about eighty inhabitants but in the summer it fills up with tourists who love to stay in peace and in cool places. Here life is made up of walks in the mountains, bike rides, dinners with friends, and relaxation on one of the five trails that cross the town. Among all, the Cicale trail is the most suggestive.
Things to do in Pisterzo
If you love nature and want to discover Pisterzo, you cannot miss a visit to the National Park of the Ausoni Mountains and Lake Fondi, where there are numerous thermal springs and natural caves. It is also possible to visit the Sanctuary of Madonna della Neve, located in one of the most panoramic areas of the city, and the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, with frescoes dating back to the 17th century.
Pisterzo: a medieval gem
In summary, Pisterzo is a beautiful medieval village that will make you fall in love with its tranquility and ancient charm. Here time seems to have stopped, among the stone alleys and historic houses overlooking the valley. Come and discover this hidden gem of the province of Latina and experience a unique experience among the Ausoni mountains.
