Castel di Guido
Castel di Guido: Between History, Nature, and Culture
Castel di Guido is a fraction of Rome and the Z. XLV area of the Agro Romano. Despite a part of its territory being given to the municipality of Fiumicino, it remains the largest area of Rome situated to the west of the city, close to and beyond the A90 motorway. Here, visitors can find places of great natural and historical interest, such as the Oasi di Castel di Guido and the Tenuta di Malagrotta. In this article, we will discover its physical geography, history, and landmarks and places of interest.
Physical Geography
The territory of Castel di Guido borders with different areas and municipalities: to the northeast with the Casalotti area, to the east with the Gianicolense suburb and the La Pisana area, to the south with the Ponte Galeria area, and to the west with the municipality of Fiumicino and the Maccarese Sud and Nord, and Torrimpietra areas. Within this vast area, visitors can find the Oasi di Castel di Guido, which spans 250 hectares and the Tenuta di Malagrotta, which hosts the largest landfill of Rome.
History
Castel di Guido has a millenary history that dates back to Antiquity. In the 2nd century BC, it was already populated, as shown by the findings in the necropolis near Massimina. In the Antonine period, it was one of the villas of the emperor Antonino Pio. In 846, Guido I of Spoleto defeated the Saracens in Lorium, giving the name to the region of "Terra di Guido il Saraceno." In 1073, the castle was donated to the monastery of San Gregorio al Celio. During the Second World War, a farm in Castel di Guido was used as a work and concentration camp for Italian civilians and Yugoslavian prisoners of war. This camp was subsidized and directed by Eugenio Parrini, who also contributed to the construction of other concentration camps in Italy. After the war, a marble plaque was placed on the main building of the farm in Castel di Guido, now owned by the Lazio Region, which commemorates the fascist work center.
Landmarks and Places of Interest
Civil architecture
Among the landmarks and places of interest in Castel di Guido, there is the Casale della Bottaccia, a 14th-century post station owned by the church of Santa Maria in Aquiro. Later, it came under the control of the Monastery of San Gregorio al Celio and then of the Santo Spirito in Saxia Hospital. In the 17th century, the Doria Landi Pamphili princes also built a chapel dedicated to the abbot Antonio. Other places of interest include the church of San Giuseppe Cafasso, the church of Santa Maria Goretti, the church of Divino Amore, and the church of Santa Maria Assunta in Castel di Guido.
Natural sites
Moreover, the area hosts the Oasi di Castel di Guido, a regional nature reserve spanning 250 hectares, which offers visitors the opportunity to admire the flora and fauna of the territory. Here, visitors can observe numerous species of birds, including the little egret and the smew, and rare plants such as the dwarf palm. The reserve's path winds through meadows, groves, and artificial lakes, offering a unique and suggestive spectacle.
Art and Culture
Castel di Guido also houses the Municipal Library of Social Affairs "Maria Doria Panphilj," which offers a wide selection of books and volumes on social assistance, current affairs, and history. Also, in July, the community celebrates the local patron saint, Saint Anthony of Padua, with cultural and gastronomic events.
Conclusion
Castel di Guido is a place rich in history, nature, and culture, offering visitors the chance to explore the beauty of the Roman territory beyond the usual tourist itineraries. Here, visitors can admire places of great historical interest, such as the Tenuta di Malagrotta and the Casale della Bottaccia, but also enjoy the flora and fauna of the Oasi di Castel di Guido Nature Reserve. Furthermore, the presence of the Municipal Library and the celebration of the Feast Day of Saint Anthony of Padua show the vitality of the local community and its focus on art and culture.
