Cittaducale is one of the most evocative villages of Lazio. The village was in fact the result of a particular urban project, with the town cut in two by a single main road that leads to the large and charming central square. Its name derives from "Civita Ducale", in honor of the crown prince Roberto, Duke of Calabria. Cittaducale belonged to Abruzzo and the province of L'Aquila for more than six centuries, until the passage into Lazio in 1927. Today it is mainly known for being the starting point of the Peschiera aqueduct that supplies Rome. Cittaducale lies gently on the Colle di Cerreto Piano along the Via Salaria, in the western part of the Piana di San Vittorino, and 10 kilometers from Rieti and the Piana Reatina. Behind it, to the north, rises Monte Terminillo.

Things to see and do in Cittaducale

Inside, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Popolo, the Angevin Tower and the numerous noble buildings are worth a visit, from the Bishop's Palace to Palazzo Dragonetti, up to Palazzo Caroselli, the current seat of the Municipality.

The most typical gastronomic specialty of this village are the "Sagne alla Molinara", with their pastry pulled by hand by the expert Civitese housewives and seasoned with a tomato sauce, garlic, oil, persa (marjoram), wild thyme and chilli. The appointment is renewed annually towards the end of August. During the festival the old mills of the area are reopened by organizing guided tours. The tradition of the ducal city is renewed at the beginning of September with the Palio dei Quarti.

Foto: di Alessandro Antonelli - Opera propria (credits)