Discover Ceprano: Fregellae, Churches and the Via Francigena

Fregellae in the museum and nature reserve

The Museo Archeologico Fregellae “Amedeo Maiuri” is located on the ground floor of Ceprano’s town hall. It presents the history and everyday life of Fregellae in an educational way. If you would like to understand historical contexts not only through individual structures but also through the life of an ancient city, the museum provides a suitable cultural focus.

The Regional Nature Reserve of the ancient cities of Fregellae and Fabrateria Nova and of Lago di San Giovanni Incarico encompasses the significant remains of the Roman colony of Fregellae. Fregellae was founded in 328 BC. For your travel planning, this means that, alongside the museum, there is also a nature and lake theme with an archaeological connection.

Churches with a layered history

The Chiesa Santa Maria Maggiore (S. Arduino) acquired its present-day neoclassical appearance through reconstruction after its almost complete destruction in the Second World War. Its current form is therefore closely linked to the history of the town and the changes of the 20th century.

The Chiesa Santa Maria Maggiore (S. Arduino) houses relics and a precious wooden statue of the priest Sant’Arduino from the 7th century. The church also preserves the marble urn that contained the mortal remains of Manfred, the last king of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. Sacred tradition and the history of the Hohenstaufen king come together here in a specific building. The preserved relics, wooden statue and marble urn complement the reconstruction with tangible evidence of the town’s older history.

The Chiesa-Convento di S. Antonio Abate is located at the entrance to the town. The Chiesa-Convento di S. Antonio Abate is one of Ceprano’s oldest monuments.

Military architecture and building history

The Torre Medievale di Ceprano is an imposing defensive structure from the 12th century. It was part of a fortification system that ran along the Liri River. This also allows Ceprano to be viewed in terms of the relationship between defensive structures and the course of the river.

At Palazzo Ferrari, also known as Palazzo Vespignani, Monsignor Ferrari commissioned the building in 1834; the architect Vespignani designed it. Dating from 1834, it was built considerably later than the medieval Torre from the 12th century.

Via Francigena del Sud

The Via Francigena del Sud also provides a clear connection to hiking. The Prenestina-Casilina section passes through Ceprano. In addition, the seventh stage from Frosinone to Ceprano is 24.2 km long, takes 6 hours and 20 minutes, and is easy, following gravel paths and asphalt. For your planning, this means distinguishing between a section that passes through Ceprano and a specifically measured stage with Ceprano as its destination. Anyone planning this stage as an independent day hike should take the full timeframe, as well as gravel paths and asphalt, into account when planning the day.

More destinations for your travel planning

More destinations: Gallinaro, Roccasecca, Piedimonte San Germano, Piglio, San Giorgio A Liri, Foresta, Sant'elia Fiumerapido and Atina.

To the main travel overview: Frosinone.