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Selci

A small jewel in the heart of Sabina, famous for the traditional porchetta and much more: is Selci.

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Population

1.038

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Area

7,8 km²

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Altitude

204 m

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Where is it?

Selci is about 43 km from Rieti and rises 204 meters above sea level on the western offshoots of the Sabine Mountains. Its inhabitants, which are just over 1000, inhabit an area of 7.73 square km. It is a real jewel from an artistic and naturalistic point of view. The small village, dominated by the medieval Roccha Castri tower, is surrounded by green hills where rural activities still take place.

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Its origins?

The town's birth date back to the 10th and 12th centuries when it witnessed a real Curtense revolution. From the middle of the 11th century, its population left the Castrum of Campolungo to move to Selci. Since Roman times, Selci was a strategical center for controlling the route that led from Salaria to Forum Novum, the bureaucratic and religious center of the district. According to several sources, the town's toponym derives from the presence in the territory of a paved road; some silica black paving stones, which paved it, are still clearly visible in some buildings in the historic center. Selci was formerly owned by the Abbey of Farfa. With the barbarian invasions, Selci passed under the direct jurisdiction of the Holy See because of the Carolingian donations; thus, it became one of the Castra Specialia. The word means influential castles from a strategic point of view and, therefore, governed directly by the Popes through people of absolute trust. Between 1333 and 1338, Selci, along with other municipalities instigated by the Savelli, Orsini, and Colonna families, rebelled against the Holy See without succeeding in obtaining the desired autonomy. From 1368 to 1596, the Orsini was the town lords. From 1596 to 1697, it was subjected to the fief of the Cesi, while, from 1697 to 1722, it passed under the Vaini. Finally, from 1722 to 1860, it came back to the direct control of the Holy See. In 1861, with the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy and the appointment of Vittorio Emanuele as a King, the Sabina was joined with Umbria, with Perugia as the regional county seat. In 1927, with the revision of the municipal districts, Selci maintained its autonomy, except for a few brief periods of union with Torri and Cantalupo.

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What to see?

The town is still accessible by a single urban door called Castru Silice plunges the tourist into the narrow picturesque alleys of the village. Immediately after the city gate, could be found the church dedicated to the Holy Savior. Numerous churches are scattered here and throughout the municipality: for instance, that of Santo Stefano, erected in honor of the patron of Selci, whose name the church bears and who was a proto martyr solemnly celebrated on 3 August. Another characteristic rural church is Sant'Eleuterio which has a gabled profile with a small bell gable. The wooden entrance is surmounted by a small brick prothyrum. A further interesting rural church is the church of San Vincenzo, dedicated to the Spanish Dominican friar San Vincenzo Ferrer, entrusted to the patronage of the Savini family. Outside it is characterized by a simple facade with a single central entrance, flanked by two low oval windows, surmounted by a small curved molded tympanum and the church dedication. Crowning the structure is a brick pillar decorated with an iron cross and a small bell gable on the right side. By the original medieval fortification of the Castrum Silicij (Selci) remains the Massif tower with a square plan, the main entrance door to the village, a circular tower, and large sections of walls incorporated into the houses of the ancient wall circuit. In the newly restored structure, a small museum has been set up, dedicated to Selci's history and peasant traditions, a must for any tourist coming to the village. In the villa of Tulliano, on the hill of the same name, two 'funerary stumps' from the Trajan-Hadrian period of Tullio Epafra and Tullia Simferusa have been found. Strolling along the streets of Selci, one can also admire the works of famous street artists who have today animated the facades of the buildings with monumental and colourful interventions.