Poggio Mirteto is a small hill-town in the province of Rieti, more or less 50 km north of Rome itself. Highlights are the Cathedral and the ruins of the ancient Roman Bagni di Lucilla.
Poggio Mirteto travel guide
A brief history
Poggio Mirteto was founded in the first half of the 13th century when the inhabitants of a number of castles in the area united in order to better be able to defend themselves. In the 16th century it became property of the Farnese family and then changed hands a couple of times, before being annexed by the Papal State. In 1861 it became part of the Italian state.
Poggio Mirteto what to see and do
Bagni di Lucilla
The ruins of the Bagni di Lucilla, an ancient Roman villa, can be found in the suburb of San Valentino. A famous mosaic that was discovered in the villa can be seen in the Vatican Museums in Rome.
Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral
Poggio Mirteto’s Cattedrale dell’Assunta was built in 1641, on the site of earlier church. Its dedication only took place in 1779, however. The architect was Martino Longhi Jr. It is located in the Piazza Martiri della Libertà .
San Paolo Church
The oldest church of the city is the San Paolo Church, which was constructed in the 13th century. This church is decorated with several frescoes, the most noteworthy ones were painted in 1521 by Lorenzo Torresani, a painter who was born in Verona, but worked most of his life in the area around Rieti.
More attractions
- Another ancient Roman villa, supposedly having belonged to Marco Terenzio Varrone.
- In the Piazza del Vetreria some of what used to be Italy’s first glassware factory can be seen, including its early 19th century chimney.
- Church of San Rocco: 18th century church.
- Torre dell’Orologio: 16th century tower, where the original bells of the above-mentioned Chiesa di San Paolo are preserved. The bells themselves were made in 1290.
- Chiesa di San Giovanni Decollato: 17th Century Church, designed by Angelo Savi.
- Palazzo Episcopale.
- Sala Farnese: Formerly the 16th century Chiesa della SS.Trinità .
- Porta di Sotto: From this entrance to the medieval part of town you have a beuatiful view over the surrounding hills.
- Porta Farnese: Main entrance to the medieval part of town.