Belmonte in Sabina
Over the centuries the medieval village of Belmonte in Sabina has represented a defense fortress for the fief of the Church. In April 1875 oni and Cesarini). Belmonte is rich in history and traditions and offers the possibility to fully experience its main attractions, including the Cyclopean Walls and the famous “Turchetto” festival, dedicated to a local biscuit made up of eggs, flour, sugar, oil and toasted hazelnuts.
Population
643
Area
23,61 km²
Altitude
756 m
Where is it?
Belmonte in Sabina is a village of 640 inhabitants, situated about 17 km. away from Rieti, at an altitude of 756 m. above sea level, on a ridge of Monti Sabini. A very pretty village, capable of combining its historical and natural heritage consisting of several churches and various natural trails winding throughout the surrounding hills and mountains.
What to see?
The historical and cultural heritage of Belmonte allows visitors to appreciate its attractions which represent a real witness of its past. The Cyclopean Walls, better known as “The Wall of the Devil”, are situated in Colle Corionaro and, according to the tradition, only the Devil could have built a work of that magnitude. Unfortunately, most of it has almost completely collapsed and only about thirty meters are still preserved. The more recent 64 meters Roman Bridge, dating back to the 1st century a.C., still showing an intact trace of the famous Via Salaria. The small Church of St. Helen, dating back to the 8th century, was built up on a previous Roman building, probably consisting in a worship place. The church is particularly famous for a procession of women who, on August 18, would go there from all over Sabina to pray the Saint so that she could help them with their milk flow. Next to St. Helen, there is the medieval Casale Toraniano, a large farm falling under the domain of Farfa. The 12th century Convent of San Nicola, situated to the North-West, has kept its original structure, despite its millenary history. The two churches of San Salvatore and Santa Rufina are more recent, dating back to the 16th century. The first one dominates the wonderful town square and keeps inside a fresco representing St. John the Baptist, besides a valuable copy of Guido Reni’s St. Michael the Archangel. The second one is a small church which preserves a worn canvas representing the Virgin and Child, which is ascribable to an artist closely related to Antoniozzo Romano. Belmonte in Sabina also offers breathtaking natural landscapes made of high hills and thick oak woods overlooked by the majestic beauty of Monte Terminillo. The village is also the starting point of the Truffle and Chestnut Road, a naturalistic and gastronomic itinerary promoted by the Mountain Community, which connects the municipalities of the Turano Valley to Lake Turano and Collalto Sabino.
