Rieti and the Sabina - Travel Guide and Tourism Information for Rieti and the Sabina, Italy

Rieti is the capital city of the Province of the same name, and is located in the upper part of Lazio, in the exact center of ITALY, just a little more than an hour's drive from the north side of Rome. It is the land of the beautiful Sabine Women, and the infamous sequester, ultimately conquered by the Romans in 290 BC. Legend has it that Rea Silvia, mother of Romulus and Remus, was born here.

Known in ancient times as Reate, the Roman Emperor Vespasian (the man who built the Coliseum) was born nearby (see Suetonius "The Twelve Caesars"), and his sons Titus and Domitian also considered this area the family home. Today's Thermal Baths of Cotilia are close to the ruins of Vespasian's. There is a restaurant in Rieti whose walls reveal the foundations of an ancient temple, and it is possible to visit the archeological remains under today's Via Roma, the Via Roma of 2000 years ago, which the ancient Romans walked, and which lead to the bridge which crosses the River Velino ---- the original Roman bridge's remains still visible below the modern bridge.

Rieti is also known as the Holy Valley, as St. Francis of Assisi spent much of his life here, and there are four Franciscan Sanctuaries in the immediate area where he lived and taught; Greccio, Fonte Colombo, La Foresta, and Poggio Bustone, and nearby is the Abbey of Farfa, all very beautiful and all worth a visit.

The historic center of the city is enclosed by beautifully restored medieval stone walls. The Papal Palace, right next to the duomo and built in the 13th century, was home to the Popes until they took up summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. There is a very fine Museum and Archeological Museum, and the Opera House, the Teatro Flavio Vespasiano, was built by the same architect who built the Opera in Rome, Achille Sfondrini, and the acoustically, the Theatre is considered one of the finest in the country. There is a full concert season including Opera, Prose, Ballet, and in the summer, there are many musical events. There is a once monthly antiques fair in the main piazza which draws people from all around. There are designer shops for those who wish to shop, shopping centers, and of course, Rome is right around the corner....

The land of the Sabina is extraordinarily beautiful, full of hills and mountains, lakes, unspoilt air and natural resources; Terminillo ski mountain is the place to go for skiing and winter sports. It is a magical land of castles, little towns connected by lovely, winding roads, elegant restaurants and family run taverne, and breath-taking scenery wherever you go. Europe's oldest olive tree lives in the Sabina too (Canneto di Fara), some 2000 years young, and still produces a heavy crop each year, not surprising as the Sabina is famous for it's olive oil. Hard to believe it's only an hour from Rome.

GETTING THERE:
COTRAL buses leave every half hour from the Tiburtina train station in Rome direct for Rieti, seven days a week, and there are also Trains, via Terni, for Rieti, which by the way, is on the Umbrian train line, and connected directly with many great towns such as Assisi and Perugia, to name just a couple.

The main airport for the city is the Rome International Leonardo da Vinci airport at Fiumicino. Transport from the airport to Rieti takes an hour and a half by car, a little longer by public transport.

Rieti is located on the Via Salaria, the SS4 highway, and from Rome is easily accessed by taking the Raccordo Annulare to the A1 Autostrada for Firenze, exiting at the Fiano Romano exit, then following the signs for Rieti and the Via Salaria.

There are several fine hotels in the city and prices are very moderate, considering the quality, and in general, restaurant prices are lower here too than in the cities of Rome and Florence, so it is possible to have a great stay for less money.

For those looking for a more personal experience, it is possible to stay in an Agriturismo, a Bed and Breakfast, rent a vacation home in an historic old stone country house, or even take a room with house privileges in the affitta-camera tradition.

For those living in Rome, it makes a fantastic week-end or holiday get-away, and for those traveling through the country, a great stop-over, enroute, either north or south. For those visiting Rome from afar, it is like having the opportunity to see the Eternal City and also sample the beauty of the Italian countryside all in the same trip ----

For more information about Rieti and the surrounding area:
www.comune.rieti.it
www.sabinamater.it
www.apt.rieti.it
www.camminodifrancesco.it
www.rieti2000.it
www.provincia.rieti.it
www.sabina.net

A. Baker - www.casalecasale.com