Lenola is a hill town in the province of Latina south of Rome. The town has no more than 4,000 inhabitants. The rather picturesque town has multiple interesting attractions, including the Scala della Pace, which ends with a gorgeous panoramic view at the top of the hill.
Lenola travel guide
Useful information
Tourist information: There is no tourist office.
Town hall: Via Municipio, 8 – 04025 Lenola. Phone: +39 0771 59581.
Railway station: There is no railway station. The nearest train stop is in Fondi, from where you can take a bus to Lenola.
Tourist attractions Lenola (Top 10)
The main attractions of Lenola are formed by the Castello Baronale and by the “Stairway of Peace”, which leads to the Madonna del Colle Basilica and a magnificent panoramic view of the village.
01. Madonna del Colle Basilica & Scalinata della Pace
Built in the 17th century, the Madonna del Colle Basilica with its attached monastery is reached by a 110-step staircase called the Scalinata della Pace, which, as its name suggests, is decorated with mosaics depicting peace.
02, Castrum di Ambrifi
The ruins of the Castrum di Ambrifi are located on a hilltop more than 2 kilometers outside Lenola. Part of the church of this suburb, which was abandoned after the Middle Ages, can still be seen. Of the old castle only a tower remains standing.
03. Madonna del Latte Church
The Madonna del Latte Church is located in the suburb of the same name. It was built in the 7th century on the site of a pagan temple founded by Greek refugees. Scratching a fresco of the Madonna in this church is said to make breastfeeding easier.
04. Santa Maria Maggiore Church
The Santa Maria Maggiore Church was built in the 15th century. The architecture of this church has been changed many times over the centuries. The last restoration has attempted to restore it to its original state.
05. San Giovanni Evangelista Church
The San Giovanni Evangelista Church is one of the oldest churches in the city. It was built in the 13th century and neighbors the Palazzo Baronale. Its main attraction is a mural from the 15th century.
06. Palazzo Baronale
The Palazzo Baronale or Castello Baronale was built in the early Middle Ages on the highest point of the village. It served as the last defensive post and also as the observation tower of Lenola. Today it is partially incorporated into modern buildings.
07. Chiesa della Madonna delle Benigne Grazie Church
The Chiesa della Madonna delle Benigne Grazie was built in the 10th century. It is a typical country church with on the facade a lunette with a fresco of the “Madonna and Child”. Above the altar is a fresco in which the “Madonna with Child Tempts the Devil”. The central part of the rather dilapidated church dates from the 13th century. On the same spot, along the consular road that used to connect the Via Appia and the Via Latina, there used to be a pagan temple dedicated to peace.
08. Monti Aurunci Nature Reserve.
The Parco Naturale dei Monti Aurunci is located partly in the Latina province and partly in the Frosinone province. It is a mountain range between the Liri-Garigliano River, the Tyrrhenian Sea and and the Monti Ausoni.
09. Chiesa di San Biagio
The San Biagio Church was built in the 18th century.
10. Santa Maria del Campo Church.
The Santa Maria del Campo Church dates back to the 14th century.
More attractions
The Chiesa di San Rocco was built in the 16th century.
Palazzo Notarianni
Palazzo Ingrao
Palazzo Grossi
Ex Palazzo Labbadia
Rovine of Acquaviva
Castelliere di Monte Passignano
A brief history of Lenola
The oldest document making mention of Lenola is the will of Duke Littefredo. In the 2nd half of the 11th century, the good man died without heirs and left part of his Duchy to the Abbey of Montecassino.
Both Lenola and nearby Fondi became property of the Caetani toward the end of the 13th century
In 1534, the town was destroyed by the Turkish troops of Suleiman II the Magnificent.
Being located on the border between the Kingdom of Naples and the Papal States, there was no real government and the territory suffered from gangs of brigands.
How to get to Lenola by car
Lenola is on the Strada Regionale SR637 between Fondi and Frosinone.