Holiday Apartment in Fornole: Nature, History and Acciaccata

Fornole Between History and Landscape

Fornole combines a long local history with experiences in nature and a distinctive culinary tradition. The town has been known since antiquity as “Castrum Fornoli”. The name Fornole also refers to this early past: it derives from the numerous ovens and kilns that have existed in the area since antiquity. In the historic castle area, the geometric layout of the old castle, with its parallel, straight streets, is still clearly recognisable. The historic town centre is also home to the Chiesa di San Pietro Apostolo.

Nature and Enjoying the Outdoors Together at Parco San Silvestro

An important attraction for nature-oriented days is Parco San Silvestro. Wooden tables and benches as well as stone fire pits are available there, making outdoor barbecuing possible. The vegetation includes juniper, strawberry tree, broom, holm oak, oak, downy oak and manna ash. The park is also associated with squirrels, foxes, porcupines, badgers, roe deer and wild boar, as well as green woodpeckers, blackbirds, wood pigeons, owls, falcons and hoopoes. Fornole therefore offers various ways to enjoy a stay combining a walk, nature observation and a shared break outdoors.

Paths, Hills and Monte San Silvestro

From Fornole, in the Ferro district, a steadily ascending path leads to the Chiesetta San Silvestro. Monte San Silvestro rises within the municipality of Amelia, near its eastern border. To the north-east of Fornole, it dominates the town and the Amerina state road. A specific trekking excursion was also associated with the landscape between Fornole and Montecampano: “Trekking tra gli Ulivi Secolari” was announced for 16 November 2025 as a 6.5 km hike with an elevation gain of 200 m starting from Fornole.

San Silvestro and the Dragon Legend

The Chiesa di San Silvestro stands in Parco San Silvestro and is dedicated to Fornole’s patron saint of the same name. Architectural fragments indicate that a place of worship already existed there in the 9th century; the church’s foundation is attributed to the Carolingian period. The site is also connected with a local tradition closely associated with the life of Saint Sylvester. According to the tradition, a small cave near the church was the hiding place of the tamed dragon. A central fresco in the Chiesa di San Silvestro depicts Saint Sylvester holding the dragon on a chain. Historical traces, religious art and the story of the dragon thus give this natural area a distinctive cultural dimension.

Acciaccata and Local Flavour

Fornole’s culinary speciality includes Acciaccata. This is a thick pizza baked in a wood-fired oven beneath the embers and considered a typical product of the village of Fornole. The 47th edition of the Sagra dell’Acciaccata was also announced in Fornole. Choosing a holiday apartment in Fornole allows visitors to tailor their stay to very different interests: local history and sacred buildings, nature and trails, or a regional culinary experience. This combination makes the town interesting for travel plans that include more than just one activity.

Discover More Places

For your further travel planning, you can also discover Civitella Del Lago, Sismano, Schifanoia, Fabro Scalo, Vigne, Collelungo, Rosaro and Montoro.

For the overarching travel overview: Terni.