Montopoli di Sabina

What to see?

The village is accessible through Porta Romana, also known as Porta Maggiore, built in Renaissance-style like Palazzo Orsini, located just opposite. The main square is the pretty Piazza Comunale, characterized by its triangular shape and an octagonal fountain surmounted by a large cup. The long square named after the Humanist Pietro Oddi, a famous poet and literary critic, born and lived in Montopoli around 1425 is dominated by the 10th-century Torre Ugonesca and the ancient Palazzo della Signoria (later transformed into Piazza Felici) with the suggestive Piazzetta Montecavallo in front of which the three primitive streets of the town converge. Piazza Campo di Fiori, on the other hand, was originally destined for breeding and agriculture but over time it was probably transformed to become the seat of important legal celebrations. The Parish Church of the Patron Saint Michael the Archangel, enriched by an elegant bell tower, whose original nucleus dates back to the second half of the 12th century, was erected on an ancient pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Opi, whose simulacrum was found in 1912. The entire territory of Montopoli, in which several remains have been found here and there, has a great archaeological interest. The site of Casoni is renowned for the ruins of the villa called Varro, but also for the remains found around, such as the villa of the Emili-Scipioni in Piedimonte di Montopoli, the villa of the thermal baths near Volpignano, the Montagnola di Colonnetta, the castles of Vezzano, the villa Caprola, the villa of San Getulio protomartyir of the Sabines and the cave of Santaccia. The territory of Montopoli offers long and restful walks among the green vegetation and panoramic views, in particular the walk along the Farfa river, whose course winds through the vegetation. Along the road that leads to Montopoli, don’t miss the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli enriched by frescoes, attributed to Vincenzo Manenti and dating back to around the mid-17th century, and rich decorations of Baroque origin. Equally important is the municipal library, housed in the former Church of San Sebastiano in Pretoriolo, dating back to the 10th-11th centuries. The abbots' residence is located in the heart of the historic centre, near the central square and the town hall: at various times in its history it was used as a temporary residence for the Abbots of Farfa. This residence incorporates what was once the entrance arch to the still visible drawbridge, defending and guarding the entrance to the castle and the perimeter of the walls, of which it was the most imposing element, probably equipped with defense systems that have now disappeared.