Castrocielo: Aquinum, Monte Asprano and Local Traditions

Churches and Historical Testimonies

Several churches give the town a multifaceted cultural profile. The Chiesa della Madonna di Loreto has three stucco altars; the high altar is dedicated to the Madonna di Loreto. The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo was built on Monte Asprano in the year 1300. The Chiesa di Santa Lucia contains two paintings by Alfonso Simonetti depicting Saint Lucy before and after her martyrdom. Its consecration is dated to 1746.

The Chiesa della Madonna dei Sette Dolori has an originally single-nave Romanesque floor plan, which was altered in the 18th century by the addition of three Baroque altars. The Chiesa di San Rocco serves as a picture gallery and preserves frescoes from the Chiesa di Capodacqua and the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Monacato. Visiting hours for the Chiesa di San Rocco are listed as 8:00–12:00 and 16:00–19:00. The same visiting hours are listed for the Chiesa della Madonna dei Sette Dolori.

Aquinum also takes you far back into the past. Aquinum was an ancient Roman colony from the time of Octavian, Marcus Antonius and Lepidus. The archaeological excavation area covers just under 8 hectares. The Via Latina ran beneath the gate of Aquinum. The Porta Capuana is one of the best-preserved monuments of Aquinum, while the western gate survives only in the lower courses of stone and a few blocks at the base; numerous collapsed remains lie around the surviving section of the ruins. The Museo Archeologico displays the necropolis of Campo Cavaliere as well as richly furnished women’s tombs discovered immediately outside the city walls of Aquinum along the Via Latina.

Hiking, Festivals and Regional Cuisine

The Anello del Monte Asprano circular route can be completed in one or more days. It is designed as a slow-paced and accessible hiking trail for pilgrims, hikers, families and school groups. Culture is also expressed through events: at the Palio delle Contrade, the seven districts of Capo d’Acqua, Campo Cavaliere, Centro, Rio, San Liberatore, Stazione and Strada Romana compete in games inspired by local popular culture and tradition. The Passione Vivente di Castrocielo takes visitors on a tour through the entire historic centre and includes four large-scale staged scenes: the Last Supper, the Mount of Olives, the trial and the Crucifixion.

During the Bacio delle Madonne, two processions from Castrocielo and Colle San Magno make their way to a mountain chapel. There, the two statues of the Madonnas meet and symbolically kiss. The Monacato di Villa Eucheria is suitable for civil weddings, conferences, concerts and exhibitions; it can be accessed by prior request to the municipality of Castrocielo. Regional cuisine includes the Peperone Cornetto di Pontecorvo DOP, grown in the Bassa Ciociaria and served sweet and sour on slices of toasted bread.

Other Destinations in the Area

For further travel planning, you can combine Castrocielo with Sant'Apollinare, Patrica, Villa Santa Lucia, Vallecorsa, Cervaro, Veroli, Giuliano Di Roma and Frosinone.

To the higher-level travel overview: Frosinone.