The Land of Otium | Destinations

THE ROMAN SABINA
A STONE THROW’S AWAY FROM TIVOLI

This location can be reached by walking from Tivoli on the romantic “Via dei Poeti”, from whose viewpoints you can enjoy magnificent sights of the Great Waterfall. The railway running along the mountainside shows a fantastic view to those who travel from or to Rome by train. You can easily figure out why so many Villas of Otium were built along this stretch. The highlight of this area is the extra virgin olive oil, which you can taste in local farms. If you are nearby at the beginning of June, do not miss the Sagra delle Cerase in Palombara Sabina, Europe’s oldest cherry festival! This is the special occasion when the “Cerasare” of Palombara proudly wear their traditional clothing. However, the “Vunnelle” of Montecelio are no less beautiful. They love to parade in September during the celebrations for San Michele!

THE VILLA OF THE POET
AND THE BOTANIST’S CASTLE

Quintus Horatius Flaccus, the great Roman poet who lived at the time of Augustus, was given a villa as a gift by Maecenas. Its remains are still to be seen. If you love literature, bring the poet’s Odes with you to feel him beside you. Simple life, nature and beauty will soothe your heart. More exciting moments await you at the top of the Monte Pellecchia, the highest peak of the Monti Lucretili Park where the eagles build their nests. Let yourself be surprised by plentiful spring-flowering blooms, studied by the botanist Federico Cesi, founder of the Accademia dei Lincei. The Castle that belonged to his family, from which he went out scouting every now and then, is situated in San Polo dei Cavalieri. Visit the characteristic medieval village and admire it in all its beauty.

NOT TO BE MISSED