The best walks and hikes around Rignano Flaminio

Only gate giving access to the old center of Calcata.

At the foot of the hill of Monte Li Santi, a few metres from the course of the Treja, the ruins of some structures built of square blocks of tuff appear: they are the ruins of the ancient sanctuary of “Monte Li Santi – Le Rote”. Since 1985, this archaeological site has provided evidence that there was an important temple here, which was constantly visited from the 6th to the 2nd century BC and was dedicated to fertility, childbirth and married life in general. During the excavations, more than 300 painted masks, numerous terracotta heads and a surprising series of iron keys and skewers were found. The artefacts were then housed in the laboratory of the Museo Civico Archeologico-Virtuale di Narce (MAVNA) in Mazzano Romano, where they are currently on display. It was an ancient custom to create cemeteries along roads and around inhabited areas of large cities. The necropolis of Monte Li Santi in Cavone is located directly along a major road cut into the tuff, a “cava” road, from which the name “Cavone” may derive. The necropolis was probably in use since the middle of the 7th century BC, as evidenced by a pit tomb found during the first excavations at the end of the 19th century. The peak of use was between the 6th and 4th centuries BC, when numerous chamber tombs with rock facades (sculpted in tuff) were created. The tombs generally have a small antechamber and a main chamber with niches dug into the wall, which were closed with tiles after the burial of the deceased. A recent project has reopened three burial chambers with decorated entrances.

Examples of history at your fingertips to explore on a beautiful sunny day

Simple paths and along the river. Relaxing and super fresh. Suitable for everyone

On the right side of the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie begins the path that leads to the church of S. Antonio. The first news of this Hermitage dates back to 1532; the prior of all the Soratte hermits resided here. The building has been preserved but the interior cannot be accessed. Other remains are in the rear area of the church where there is also a bench to admire the view. In front of the church the path continues in the direction of Santa Lucia although halfway you can turn left to reconnect to the concrete road that takes us back to the town.

On the way to the top of Soratte, just before the San Silvestro hermitage, you can take the path on the left that leads to the small San Sebastiano hermitage, of which modest wall traces remain. The latter was home to hermits in the 16th and 17th centuries, after which it began to be abandoned and fell into ruin. In the rock there is a cavity used to collect water. Short trail but to be followed with care.

Huge boulder leaning against the rock, looking at it it seems like it is about to fall down. Legend has it that Saint Nonnosus was a monk and that rock is in that spot because he managed to move it from the top of Soratte to make room for a vegetable garden for the monks. Panoramic point

Remains of a building which legend has it belonged to bandits. Very panoramic point on the path to get to the top of Soratte