Vivaro Romano is a very small town of less than 200 inhabitants. It is located in the eastern part of the province of Roma, near the border with Abruzzo.
Vivaro Romano travel guide
Useful information
Public transportation: Three times a day there is a bus connection from the town to Rome (Ponte Mammolo stop, metro line B). From Rome there are no direct buses, but one has to change in Riofreddo.
The nearest train station is in Carsoli.
The ZIP code is 00020 and the area code is 0774. The address of the town hall is Via Lavinio Mastro, 5 – 00020 Vivaro Romano (+39 0774 923135).
There is no tourist information office in the city.
Tourist attractions
The main tourist attraction of the town is the Santuario di Santa Maria Illuminata, about three kilometers outside the city walls, on the Colle di Santa Maria. This church was probably built in the 13th century and its main attraction is a sacred effigy of the Madonna. Other attractions include the San Biagio Church and the ruins of the 15th century castle.
Events and festivals
Every year between the night of August 4 and 5, the image of the Madonna is carried from the Santa Maria Illuminata Church in a torchlight procession to the center of town.
A brief history of Vivaro Romano
The first inhabitants of the area were the Equi, an Italic tribe. These were driven out by the Romans, who used the wetland to raise animals. In the 15th century it came into the hands of the Orsini. The current name was not officially recognized until 1872 and derives from the former Roman nursery (vivaio, in Italian).
How to reach Vivaro Romano by car
By car: Take the E80 (toll road) or the SR5 from Rome. At Riofreddo take the SR38b in the northern direction.