Ronciglione

The real protagonists of the story of Ronciglione were the Farneses, who made it a rich manufacturing center. In Piazza del Duomo, other than the beautiful fountain honoring the Farneses with its sculpted lilies, there is the Duomo of Saints Pietro and Caterina worth looking at; it is a solemn Baroque building with a very majestic dome, comparable to that of St. Peters. Here faces the castle called "i Torroni" for its powerful defense towers, ordered to be constructed by the Prefect of Vico when he became aware that this point was the only natural access to the inhabited center and thus the "Achilles' heel". Beyond the castle begins the medieval portion of the town, rich in Romanesque houses, precious Renaissance buildings, picturesque narrow streets, medieval and Baroque churches. We recommend going along Via del Borgo from above and without missing the splendid belltower of St. Andrea (at whose feet we find the few remains of the church, almost completely destroyed), arriving at the church of S. Maria della Provvidenza (unfortunately often closed), dating back to the 11th century and after its numerous Baroque restorations, brought back to old simplicity. Turning around and going onto Via Roma towards the left, you will arrive at the elegant Porta Romana or of St. Giovanni, built in the first decades of the 1600's on the design of the famous architect, Vignola. Not to miss on the left-side is the view of the gorge of Rio Vicario. At the bottom of the street you'll find the church of Santa Maria della Pace.