Palazzo Conti, the birthplace of a pope

The elongated shape of the village makes it look like a ship resting on a tufa cliff. The beautiful bell tower of the Church of San Pietro rises like a mast out of the center of Poli. We advise you to leave the car in the parking lot situated in the lower part of the historic center and walk until you reach the imposing Palazzo Conti. This is one of the most fortified buildings to be found in the whole province of Rome. At the entrance, two Roman sarcophagi narrate the time when the surrounding countryside was home ancient roman villas. The historic center is compact and characterized by a straight road that starts right from the prestigious Palazzo dei Conti di Poli and opens onto the lanes, many of which offer picturesque views. The powerful Conti family owned the fief for about 700 years and had four Popes in it, one of whom, Innocent XIII, was born in 1655 in one of the rooms situated on the upper floor, today private property. Open to the public, the lower floor is home to the Town Hall and features exquisite 16th-century frescoes. It may be interesting to know that the palace serving as a backdrop to the Trevi Fountain in Rome, known as Palazzo Poli, belonged in the 18th century to the Conti family of Poli.

Poli is a very welcoming town poised between the Monti Prenestini and the Roman countryside. Apropos hospitality, the local community founded the “Festa dell’Ospitalità”, a festival that is celebrated the first Sunday after the 20th of September! The celebration of the patron Sant’Eustachio is definitely a date to save! Experience the relationship between sacred and profane! The “Le Donne del Vicolo” Association is the driving force of an event celebrated by the whole community! The festival commemorates the conversion to Christianity of the Roman soldier Placidus, who changes his name and becomes Eustace, which translates from Greek to “abundant in grain”. The generous and convivial people of Poli literally open their houses and offer traditional delicacies to whomever is looking for a cheerful and fascinating atmosphere. Come and live an unforgettable day!