Soriano nel Cimino
Explore Soriano nel Cimino: a town surrounded by nature
Soriano nel Cimino is a town located in the province of Viterbo, in Lazio, with a population of approximately 7,968 inhabitants. This incredible city is situated on a hill at the foot of Mount Cimino, the highest peak of the Cimini Mountains, in a central position between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the central Apennines.
## Physical geography
Soriano nel Cimino spans an area of 7,848 hectares with an average altitude of 510 meters above sea level. The town borders the municipalities of Bassano in Teverina, Bomarzo, Canepina, Vallerano, Vasanello, Vignanello, Viterbo, and Vitorchiano. Most of the water courses in the area originate from Mount Cimino, such as the Vezza, Martelluzzo, Serameia, and Serraglio streams, and the Mandrione, Valle Oscura, Sanguetta, Acqua Fredda, Orti, Molinella, and Castello ditches. All of these waterways flow into the Tiber River or its tributaries.
The part of the Cimini Mountains included in the territory of Soriano nel Cimino comprises the highest peak, Mount Cimino (1,053 meters above sea level), surrounded by a series of smaller peaks such as Mount Roccaltia (712 meters above sea level), Mount Turello (628 meters above sea level), Mount S. Antonio (611 meters above sea level), and Mount Ciliano (or Cigliano) (569 meters above sea level). Mount Cimino is covered by chestnut forests up to about 800 meters, while the summit is covered by a forest of centuries-old beech trees covering an area of about 57 hectares. The lower hills mainly host chestnut and oak forests.
From a climatic point of view, Soriano nel Cimino enjoys a sub-Mediterranean temperate climate with mild and humid winters and hot and moderately dry summers. The average temperatures oscillate between 4 and 10 degrees Celsius in winter and between 16 and 28 degrees Celsius in summer.
## Origin of the name
There are several theories about the origin of the name Soriano. According to some scholars, the name could derive from a contraction of the term "Sorinianum," which indicated a country district depending on one of the two Surrines: Vetus or Nova. Others argue that the name may indicate belonging to a Roman family named "Sorina," "Sornia," "Soria," or "Sergia." However, there is also the possibility that the name has an Etruscan origin, composed of "surus" (pole, trunk, forest) and the suffix "ianus" (place), thus referring to a wooded place. Still, others believe that the name may be related to that of Mount Soratte, while some think it derives from the first Soriano cats imported to Italy from the Middle East. Only from the 10th century, reference is made to a "Sutanum" or "Surano," later called "Castrum Seriani." In 1871, with a royal decree of October 22, 1871, the name of the town was added "nel Cimino" to avoid confusion with the homonymous town of Soriano Calabro.
## History
The first written evidence relating to the territory of Soriano dates back to Titus Livius, who in his work "Ab Urbe Condita Libri," narrates that in 443 BC, Soriano was invaded by Roman militias commanded by the consul Quinto Fabio Massimo Rulliano who, in the war against the Etruscans, managed to cross the forest of Mount Cimino with ease. Since then, Soriano's history has been marked by various events such as the invasion of the Goths in the 5th century, the construction of the castle in the 12th century, the siege by the Caesar allies of Emperor Frederick II in 1240 and the annexation to Papal rule in the 15th century.
During the Renaissance, Soriano was under the dominion of the Borgias, then passed to the Farnese and finally to the Savoy in 1860. During the Second World War, Soriano was severely targeted by Allied bombings, causing 332 deaths and the destruction of 70% of the historic settlement.
## Conclusion
In summary, Soriano nel Cimino is a town surrounded by nature with a millenary history. Thanks to its hilly position and the presence of Mount Cimino, the town offers breathtaking landscapes and an ideal climate in every season. Soriano was rebuilt after the Second World War, preserving the charm of the ancient village, and today represents an ideal destination for those seeking relaxation, history, and food and wine experiences in Italy.
