A 6-day itinerary in the footsteps of Popes and monks, to retrace the history of an ancient and fascinating world in a corner of Ciociaria
The Treasures of Ciociaria tour Hightlights:
This morning you will reach Alvito, a charming small town nestled in the picturesque countryside between Rome and Naples. With its rich history, medieval architecture, and breathtaking landscapes, Alvito offers a tranquil escape from bustling city life. Explore the narrow cobblestone streets of the historical centre, marvel at the majestic Alvito Castle, and immerse yourself in the town’s warm community spirit. Surrounded by rolling hills and olive groves, Alvito is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Free afternoon for any activities
This morning you will meet your private guide to enjoy a visit of Veroli. The old town of Veroli is characterized by medieval palaces and has many fascinating churches including that of St. Erasmus. The most famous church is the Basilica of Santa Salome, with the remains of Santa Salome, protector of Veroli. The uniqueness of the Basilica is focused on the Holy Stairs made up 12 marble steps. The penultimate step is made of wood and the story tells the story of the wood of the Cross of Jesus.
Surrounded by the evocative and naturalistic landscape of Mount Ernici stands the huge Certosa di Trisulti. It is a monastic complex dating back to 1204 and is a paradise for herbalists because about 2,500 species of wild herbs can be found on these mountains. Since the Middle Ages, Carthusian monks prepared liqueurs and medicines such as Sambuca, a tradition so long and important that one of the best European monastic pharmacies is found here. It was totally frescoed between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In the eighteenth century, the Carthusians decorated the Church, the Cloister with the cells, the Refectory, and the Cemetery of the Monks with classicist decorations, Since 1947 the Carthusians were replaced by a new Order, that of the Cistercians of the Casamari Abbey who lived here until to 2017. Since 2018 the monastic complex has been privately managed by the Dignitatis Humanae Institute.
This morning you will meet your guide for a visit to the Casamari Abbey, built in 1203 and consecrated in 1217. The name derives from a historical and important figure of Ancient Rome: Caio Mario. After the defeat of the Roman Empire, the Benedictine monks came and founded the Abbey. The best splendour of the Abbey dates back to the period of Pope Celestine IX and the Trappist monks up to the Empire of Napoleon. In 1929 the Abbey was elected a monastic congregation and slowly returned to show its beauty and majesty. In June 1957 Pope Pius XII elevated the abbey church to the dignity of a minor basilica. The plan of the basilica is very similar to that of French monasteries. Inside the monastery, you can admire a beautiful garden and quadrangular cloister. The cloister leads to the church with its three naves. The windows of the church have alabaster plates instead of glass. The Abbey, in addition to being a place of worship, has also become a place of teaching and in 1898 the San Bernardo Institute has been founded in the abbey. Since around 1760, the Abbey also featured a pharmacy and liquor store where the monks produced bottles of medicinal herbs and spirits. More recent is the printing house, established in 1954 and here school texts are also printed.
After a few kilometres, you will reach Boville Ernica, another medieval village surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. You will admire its medieval walls with 18 towers, Renaissance palaces, churches and squares. You will enter San Pietro Ispano and discover Giotto’s Angel and the marble bas-relief of the Madonna del Sansovino.
In the morning you will reach Anagni. This fascinating city is also called the “City of the Popes” because 4 popes were born here: Innocent III, Alexander IV, Gregory IX and Boniface VIII. Anagni was also the papal residence and seat for a long time. Here you will meet your guide for a private tour of the historic centre and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata.
The real jewel of the Cathedral is the Crypt of San Magno with a pictorial cycle of exceptional beauty. Thanks to the richness of the frescoes, which depict scenes from the Old and New Testament, it is also called the “Sistine Chapel of the Middle Ages”.
You will also visit the Pope’s Palace where the famous Anagni slap took place in 1303. Sciarra Colonna slapped the Pope and this moment also inspired Dante Alighieri in his masterpiece “Divine Comedy”.
Before returning to Veroli, you will visit Fumone, a pretty medieval town with its castle. Longhi De Paolis Castle was built between the 9th and 10th centuries and then used as a prison for the State of the Church. Pope Celestine V was also imprisoned here, where he died on May 19, 1296, making his first miracle in death in the place where he lived for 10 months. Since then the castle, which had always had characteristics of a military nature, also became a spiritually important place. The castle is also famous for its hanging garden which, with its 800 meters of height, is the highest garden in Europe and is a real terrace on the Ciociaria “. Walking through the alleys of the historic centre of Fumone you come in contact with splendid panoramic views and “medieval corner”.
This morning you will reach the Abbey of Monte Cassino. The Abbey of Montecassino is one of the most famous Abbeys in the world. In 529 St. Benedict chose this mountain to build a monastery that would house him and those monks who followed him from Subiaco. From the cloisters, through the grand staircase to the Basilica, you reach the tomb of St. Benedict and St. Scolastica. Then there is the crypt, below, to be discovered with the beautiful golden mosaics. But it is in the museum that visitors can see magnificent paintings, wonderful manuscripts and ancient books; they can retrace the history of the Abbey from its beginnings to the present day and understand why Montecassino is known as the “Faro of Western Civilization”.
Today you will reach the charming city of Arpino, the birthplace of Marco Tullio Cicerone in 106 BC Cicerone was one of the greatest lawyers and writers of the Roman period. Every year Arpino pays homage to Cicero with an international Latin translation competition, the Certamen Ciceronianum Arpinas. Students from all over the world come here and try to win the competition and put the laurel wreath, the symbol of glory, in the lead. In Arpino, your guide will retrace the history of the city and you will visit the Church of St. Michael Archangel where you will admire the masterpiece of the Cavalier d’Arpino, Caravaggio and the Tuscany School. You will also admire the Palace of the “Tullian”, Palazzo Quadrini and the Sangermano Palace. In the main square, you will see a portion of the old Roman road with stones. Only the winner of the Certamen Ciceronianum Arpinas has the honour of walking along this historic and priceless find.
After the visit to the town, your guide will show you the oldest part of Arpino where history and legends meet, Civitavecchia di Arpino or Civitas Vetus. Here you will admire the old door of the Acropolis, the pointed arch (4.20 meters high) consisting of overlapping blocks that narrow upwards, and cut obliquely inside. In the Middle Ages, it was closed in a semicircular bastion, now partially demolished. Near the arch, you will see the church of SS. Trinity. You will see Cicero’s Tower, the top of the Acropolis and possibly the home of Cicero’s ancestors. Walking through the streets of the historic centre you will admire other medieval churches and you will find that you reach the belvedere overlooking the valley below where you can take beautiful photos.
Check out.
Free morning.
End of services
For this itinerary, we handpicked for your stay an Oasis of Peace immersed in the countryside of Alvito. Relais Colle Buono will welcome you with its romantic atmosphere, exceptional services and unforgettable experiences of wellness, taste and relaxation. You will have at your disposal fine furnished and tranquil rooms and suites, an excellent Gourmet Restaurant and a sophisticated wellness centre where to regenerate your soul.