Cerchiara
Cerchiara: a hamlet in the heart of Sabina
Cerchiara is a small hamlet belonging to the municipality of Rieti, located in the western part of Sabina, 603 meters above sea level. In this text, I will talk about the history of Cerchiara, its monuments and places of interest, and the economy of the area.
History of Cerchiara
The area of Cerchiara dates back to the Roman era, as evidenced by historical findings and worship of the goddess Vacuna. In 1861, with the unification of Italy, Cerchiara became an autonomous municipality and in 1863 changed its name to "Cerchiara in Sabina", to avoid confusion with other municipalities. In 1875 the municipality was abolished and merged with Poggio Fidoni, while in 1928 it became a hamlet of Rieti.
Cerchiara, like the whole western part of Sabina, has always been part of Umbria and had Perugia as its capital: first, during the Papal State, as part of the Legation of Umbria, and later, after the unification of Italy, as part of the province of Umbria. Only in the twenties, with the establishment of the province of Rieti, Cerchiara became part of Lazio.
After the sixties, Cerchiara underwent a gradual depopulation, as well as many villages in the surrounding areas, leading to the loss of importance of the registry office located in Poggio Fidoni, which was abolished.
Monuments and places of interest
The church of Santa Maria, also known as the Santi Martiri, is one of the main attractions of Cerchiara. It is a proto-Romanesque building located just outside the village, an architectural style also present in other churches in the area, such as the church of San Giovanni Battista in Toffia. The church of Santa Maria also houses a wooden statue of the Madonna and Child, dating back to the eighteenth century.
Economy of Cerchiara
The economy of Cerchiara is mainly agricultural and pastoral; most of the inhabitants still live from agriculture and livestock, despite the progressive difficulty in maintaining these professions. Among the commercial activities present in the village, we only find a few grocery and essential goods stores.
Conclusions
Cerchiara is a small village that deserves to be visited for its architectural beauty and geographical location. Its history and monuments are an ancient testimony to the presence of man in this area. Cerchiara still represents an example of rural life today, where peace and the beauty of the landscape are the most valuable assets.
