Roccantica: Roses, Revotano and Medieval Discoveries

Roccantica between the Rose Garden, Karst Sinkhole and History

Roccantica combines impressive nature with an unusually rich cultural history. A special introduction is the Vacunae Rosae Garden: more than 5,500 different roses grow across two hectares. The themed garden adds a colourful accent and offers a distinct travel experience for anyone who wants to engage consciously with landscapes and plants.

A second striking destination is the Revotano. It is a collapse sinkhole that formed when a cavity created by underground water erosion collapsed under its own weight. The karst sinkhole is located near the historic centre of Roccantica, has a diameter of approximately 250 metres and is 130 metres deep. A footpath through Mediterranean maquis leads to this natural phenomenon. Take these details into account when planning your day and combine the visit with further impressions of the surrounding area.

Rock Chapel and Historic Trails

The San Leonardo hermitage dates from the 8th or 9th century and consists of two rooms carved into the rock. Below the hermitage, on the way to the Revotano, stands an old water mill of which only the outer structure remains. Details like these make the route not only a nature experience but also a search for traces through the history of the place.

The Cammino del Capraro offers an idea for a longer hike. The old circular trail leads from Roccantica to the Rifugio Cognolo mountain refuge and is connected with the routes used by transhumant shepherds. Depending on your preferred daily rhythm, you can focus on a historic landscape, a rock formation or the cultural-historical traces of walking.

Churches, Towers and Medieval Traditions

A square defensive tower surrounded by three rings of walls stands in the historic centre. With its restored fresco cycle, the Church of Santa Caterina is one of the cultural highlights of the Sabina Tiberina. The frescoes depict the life of Saint Catherine of Alexandria and were created by Pietro Coleberti in 1430.

Other religious buildings also tell of Roccantica’s long development. The Church of San Valentino is already mentioned in a document from 792 and, as a Gothic church, has five chapels. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta lies in the heart of the historic centre; its single-nave interior ends in an apse with a semicircular termination. Next to it, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo was built in 1740 over an earlier church. The Castle–Monastery of the Poor Clares complex was created in the mid-16th century over the ancient ruins of Ursino Castle.

Anyone interested in medieval clothing and historical re-enactments can discover the Sartoria Medievale. Some of the more than 1,000 costumes of the local medieval tailoring workshop are displayed there; they were made on the basis of careful historical research. During Medioevo in Festa, the programme also includes a parade with more than 500 people in historical costumes.

Local Traditions and Choosing Accommodation

Roccantica can also be discovered through its culinary traditions. The Frittello Festival celebrates cauliflower fried in Sabina DOP extra virgin olive oil. The tradition has existed for more than 50 years and takes place on Saint Joseph’s Day. Families or travel groups can thus enjoy a varied combination of nature, architectural history, craftsmanship and regional food culture.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Roccantica, it helps to decide in advance what you want to focus on during your trip. For culture-oriented days, the churches, the defensive tower, the mention of the Church of San Valentino in 792 and the costume tradition provide useful points of reference. Those who prefer nature experiences can focus on the rose garden, the Revotano, San Leonardo or the Cammino del Capraro. Choose your accommodation to suit the destinations you actually want to visit, and leave room for the different facets of this place.

More Places for Your Search

If you would like to extend your accommodation search to other places, you can also find Colli Sul Velino, Gavignano Sabino, Casali, Montenero Sabino, Poggio Nativo, Scandriglia, Accumoli and Cottanello here as well.

For the higher-level travel overview: Rieti.