Located in the heart of the Tuscia Viterbese area, about half an hour by car from our hotel, Ronciglione is a charming village suspended in time, with breathtaking views around every corner. You only need to glance at the long list of films and commercials shot among its alleyways to immediately grasp its extraordinary cinematic beauty. Officially part of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy” circuit, it is known as the “two-level village” due to its urban structure spread across two tiers: the medieval section, which has survived the passing centuries remarkably well, with its narrow streets and tuff stone houses; and the Renaissance section, characterized by elegant palaces adorned with fine stucco work and crests, through whose windows one can glimpse frescoed walls and ancient coffered ceilings.
Ronciglione’s history is rooted in the Etruscan era, as evidenced by several modest necropolises in the tuff valleys (colombari). There are also traces from the Roman period, during which the town was likely a “castrum” positioned between the Via Cassia Cimina and the Via Cassia Clodia. In the Middle Ages it was an important centre, contested between Church and Empire, but it was in the 16th century, under the Farnese family, that it experienced its golden age. The origin of the name remains uncertain. Among the various theories, the most widely accepted holds that it derives from the cliff shaped like a roncola (a billhook), upon which the ancient settlement stands. According to a more fanciful version, it traces back to a French nobleman by the name of Rossillon, who settled here drawn by the pleasantness of the surroundings.
The village boasts a considerable heritage of religious buildings, the most prominent of which is the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Catherine. Harmonious and majestic, it was built between 1671 and 1695 to a design by the celebrated Baroque architect Carlo Rainaldi. Its exterior features a façade with two architectural orders — Ionic at the bottom and Composite at the top — while the interior houses numerous works of great value. Among the other religious buildings well worth a visit are: the Church of Santa Maria della Provvidenza, built in the 11th century and enriched with various frescoes; the small Romanesque Church of Sant’Eusebio, dating back to the 4th century and considered the most important early Christian monument in Tuscia; and what remains of the Church of Sant’Andrea, erected in the 12th century in Gothic style.
Equally significant is the heritage of civil architecture, which bears witness to the historical and urban evolution of the village. Among the key points of interest are: the Renaissance Palazzo Comunale, renovated in 1714 with the addition of a clock designed by architect Sebastiano Cipriani; the Palazzo del Poeta e del Guerriero, commissioned by Count Everso degli Anguillara in 1451; the 17th-century Porta Romana, which divides the historic town centre from the southern district; and the Fontana Grande (or Fountain of the Unicorns), attributed to Vignola but built by architect Antonio Gentili da Faenza.
The village also has several museums. Not to be missed is the Casa Museo of the Venerable Mariangela Virgili, whose beatification process is currently underway. The house is a typical example of a 17th-century dwelling, preserving its original staircases, walls and wooden doors, as well as some of the furnishings and devotional objects, attesting to an important extra-liturgical cult. Of an entirely different nature is the Museum of the Old Ironworks and Print Shop. Housed in the oldest ironworks in town, it tells the industrial, economic and social history of the city, tracing its key milestones.
The surrounding countryside is equally captivating. Ronciglione lies in the immediate vicinity of Lake Vico, arguably the best-preserved volcanic lake in Italy. According to legend, it formed when Hercules — challenging the local inhabitants — pulled out the club he had driven into the ground to prove his strength, which no one had ever managed to remove. In reality, however, it came into existence around 100,000 years ago following the filling of a volcanic caldera. The lake is part of a nature reserve, where visitors can enjoy trekking, birdwatching and a range of outdoor activities.
As well as being a wonderful village to explore, Ronciglione is famous for its historic carnival, considered one of the oldest in Lazio and one of the finest in Italy. It stands out for its playful spirit, the joy of entertainment through music, dance and colour, its love of tradition, and its commitment to celebrating local historical roots.
Ronciglione is approximately 30 km from Bracciano. Our hotel is the perfect base for exploring the villages of Tuscia. Ronciglione, with its historic carnival and Lake Vico just a short distance away, is just one of the many treasures reachable as a day trip.
