The best walks and hikes around Vitorchiano

The church of the Holy Trinity or Sant'Amanzio in Vitorchiano was built by expanding a previous structure in 1476 thanks to a series of taxes on the population. In 1707 it was dedicated to Sant'Amanzio with the arrival of the relic of his body from Rome. Like the whole town, the church is in peperino and next to the simple Renaissance façade the entrance of the previous church is recognizable. In the central rose window you can recognize the Virgin crushing the serpent. The interior has a single nave and is embellished with a niche frescoed in 1514 by Valentino Pica, a 1560 canvas of the Madonna enthroned, the 13th century tabernacle and a 16th century crucifix. The veneration of Sant’Amanzio In the church there is the precious urn containing the relic of the body of Sant’Amanzio. The late-Baroque case dates back to the 17th century and is the work of Keayter Federico and is supported by sculpted winged angels. The entire work is in gilded wood and red velvet. Through the glass you can see the body of the saint resting on a pillow with one hand holding the palm of the resurrection. The saint is dressed in sumptuous clothes and in front of the body you can see the sword of the saint. Saint Amanzio, whose name means 'who loves god', was martyred in Tivoli with the saints Cereale, Getulio (his brother) and Primitivo. The saints were tied to a pole to be burned. The flames, however, did not hit the saints who were killed with sticks. They are celebrated on June 10. (c) https://www.discoverplaces.travel/it/esperienze/attivita/chiese-e-luoghi-di-culto/chiesa-della-santissima-trinita-o-di-santamanzio

The gate bears the coat of arms of Vitorchiano with the inscription SPQR (for which the village received permission from Rome). The gate is part of the old wall that extends for about two hundred and fifty metres on the south side of Vitorchiano. The tower above the gate dates from the 13th century. The old city walls (Le Mura Castellane) have several towers, each built of peperino stone and dovetail battlements with loopholes in between.

The monument in Piazza Umberto I dates from 1979 and is made of a block of grey peperino. It shows the shepherd Martius trying to extract a thorn from his foot (hence his nickname ‘Lo Spinario’, the ‘thorn-puller’). He was sent by the people of Vitorchiano to warn Rome of an impending Etruscan attack on Rome. Martius barely managed to warn senator Fabius Maximus Rullianus of the danger when he fell lifeless from exhaustion and the wound he had sustained. The Romans successfully repelled the Etruscan attack and Rome was saved.

The Tiberina Gate was the main entrance to the heart of the town, Piazza Roma, from which the people of Vitorchiano reached the vegetable gardens, olive groves and vineyards in the valley at the foot of the cliff on which the village stands. Here until the 18th century the guards guarded the entrance, an effigy recalls the plague that spread throughout Italy from Messina. Now, for trekking lovers, it is the starting and finishing point of the CAI 125 trail that through a suggestive path immersed in nature leads to the rock site of Corviano. (c) https://www.facebook.com/comunedivitorchiano/posts/la-porta-tiberina-de-ilborgosospeso-di-vitorchiano/1808768792605454/

Some beautiful human works adorn a green carpet that looks out over the ancient village of the Lazio town, surrounded by trees and equipped with benches where you can enjoy a moment of relaxation, with family and friends. (c) https://www.secretvillage.it/segreti/valle-delle-sculture

The Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo is an important religious and cultural monument dedicated to the Archangel Michael and is known for its impressive architecture and historical value. The building houses beautiful frescoes and works of art that reflect the religious devotion and history of the region. In addition to being a place of pilgrimage, it is also a popular destination for tourists interested in the art and culture of the area.

The first monument we encounter that recalls the ancient medieval village is the Castle, a fortified palace built on the edge of the cliff and preceded by a defensive moat. The northern walls have disappeared following the collapses, but the surviving circle of walls is still clearly recognizable. The south-eastern corner of the castle preserves the wall structure built on the foundations of enormous pre-existing blocks of rock very well. Even the entrance portal, on the southern side, towards the plateau, preserves some reminders of the door's closing mechanisms and a beautiful oblique slit for the defense of the access area from attackers. Other pointed arch windows and slits of beautiful appearance and in good condition are preserved in the walls. (c) https://blogcamminarenellastoria.wordpress.com/2021/05/16/tuscia-il-borgo-rupestre-di-corviano/

We passed here a day after a heavy rain and hail shower, but still managed to reach the other side without wet feet.