Rocca di Botte
Welcome to Rocca di Botte!
Hello everyone! Are you ready to immerse yourselves in the beauty of Rocca di Botte? Traveling through Italy is always a unique experience, and discovering hidden gems of small towns like this is an opportunity not to be missed. I will guide you through the history and geography of this wonderful municipality in the province of L'Aquila, in Abruzzo, where 861 inhabitants live.
Physical Geography
Rocca di Botte is located at 750 meters, on the border of Abruzzo and Lazio. The village developed on the north-western slopes of the Carseolani Mountains, near the area of the Simbruini Mountains and the Regional Natural Park of the Apennines - Monti Simbruini. It is located in the border area between the Cavaliere plain and the upper valley of the Aniene. Nearby villages include Arsoli, Camerata Nuova, Cappadocia, Cervara di Roma, Oricola, and Pereto.
The historic center of Rocca di Botte is located on the top of Mount La Corte, at an altitude of 672 meters. In the flat area, where the Fosso Fiojo stream flows, is the residential area of Casaletto.
Origin of the name
The name Rocca di Botte has several possible origins. According to some sources, it could derive from the old fortress, built between the 11th and 12th centuries, which is located on the top of the mountain above the modern center and has a defensive form that resembles a castle. Some documents from the 11th century speak of a barrel-shaped fountain located halfway up Mount San Fabrizio, used to supply the inhabited nucleus with water. Another hypothesis connects the place name to the Thracian prince Bitty or De Butis.
During the Middle Ages, the village was identified by the Latin name Sancti Fabrizi. On some historical maps, the village appears as "Rocca" or "Butte," while in a bull of Pope Clement III dated 1188, the denomination "Rocca de Butta" is found. In the 13th century, it was called "Rocca de Labucco." In the 17th century and afterwards, the village was identified as "Arx," "Arx Fortium," "Arx Samnitum," "Arx Veges," or "Castro Arcis Vegetis." From the Late Middle Ages onwards, however, the name "Rocca de Bucte" and "Roccabotte" became more common.
History
The first information regarding Rocca di Botte dates back to the 11th century, when a monastery of the Basilian Order of Italy would have existed around which the original nucleus of the town would have formed. Saint Peter the Hermit was born and lived in the village until adolescence, earning the nickname of "Itinerant Knight." He is the patron saint of the village and died in Trevi nel Lazio, being proclaimed a saint on October 1, 1215, by the Diocese of Anagni-Alatri, Giovanni IV.
From 1173, Rocca di Botte was subject to the lordship of Ottone De Montanea. His family governed the village until the 14th century, when it passed to the Orsini family. Starting from the last years of the 15th century, Rocca di Botte became a fief of the Roman Colonna family thanks to the donation made to this dynasty by Frederick I of Naples.
What to see in Rocca di Botte
Rocca di Botte is a truly enchanting village that is worth visiting. In particular, its historic center is rich in hidden treasures. You can start your visit from Rocca, a castle-wall built between the 11th and 12th centuries. The church of San Pietro, dedicated to the patron saint of the village, has a Romanesque style and was built in the 12th century. You will also be captivated by the church of Santa Maria della Pieta, in Baroque style, with its bell tower.
If you are passionate about contemporary art, you can visit the Parcheggio Gallery, an outdoor museum of contemporary art located in the residential area of Casaletto. In this space, among the parking lots of the houses, artists can exhibit their works, creating a beautiful synergy between nature, architecture, and art.
Gastronomy
The cuisine of Rocca di Botte is typical of the Abruzzo tradition, with particular attention to local and seasonal ingredients. You can start your meal with arrosticini, lamb meat skewers, or buffalo mozzarella. As a first course, we recommend orecchiette with turnip tops or pasta alla chitarra with lamb sauce. Among the main courses, the unmissable dishes are Abruzzese-style rabbit or porchetta, a typical dish of the region. To conclude on a sweet note, do not miss the ricotta tart with fig jam.
Conclusion
So here is our guide to Rocca di Botte, a small municipality with enormous charm. We recommend visiting it in any season of the year because it offers different emotions depending on the months. Summer will allow you to enjoy the coolness of the mountains, while autumn will color the landscape with its red and yellow leaves. Winter, on the other hand, will be the opportunity to enjoy the magic of the village under the snow, while spring will surprise you with its blooming. In any case, Rocca di Botte will welcome you with its beauty and warmth.
