Paliano between city walls, catacombs and nature
Accommodation in Paliano
In Paliano, the Mura Castellane, the Catacombe di S. Quirico and the Selva di Paliano e Mola di Piscoli represent three different approaches: local history, archaeological traces and nature. This makes it a destination where you can consider cultural interests and an appreciation of nature side by side when planning your trip. When choosing your accommodation, you can focus on historic sites, landscape experiences or a combination of both perspectives.
City walls and ancient traces
The Mura Castellane surround the historic centre of Paliano over a length of 2.5 kilometres. The Porta Napoletana was built in the Middle Ages as a walled gate structure with a drawbridge. The cemetery of the Catacombe di S. Quirico dates from the 4th or 5th century AD. The Catacombe di S. Quirico were discovered in a Roman-era quarry for pozzolana. Medieval fortifications and early underground remains therefore exist here within clearly different historical contexts.
Natural monument, forest and spring
The protected natural monument Selva di Paliano e Mola di Piscoli covers approximately 413 hectares within the municipality of Paliano. It lies at an altitude of around 250 metres on volcanic soils consisting of Pleistocene tuff. La Selva includes a 40-hectare Turkey oak forest. In the Parco della Fontana del Diavolo, paths with sculptures and stone animals run around an ancient spring.
Further historical highlights
Around 6 kilometres from Paliano lies Mola, or Torre dei Piscoli, a fortified defensive structure on the Sacco River between the districts of Colle Rampo and Polledrara. The Collegiata di Sant’Andrea Apostolo was designed as a mausoleum for the Colonna family; only the princes of Colonna from Paliano were to be buried there. The fortification on the Sacco and the church designed for the Colonna family thus represent different historical accents.
Palazzo di Famiglia and Sala delle Armi
The Palazzo di Famiglia was begun in 1620 and extended by Cardinal Gerolamo between 1664 and 1666. It was transformed into a residence open towards the valley, with a beautiful inner courtyard and an arcaded hall on the two short sides. The Sala delle Armi houses war trophies taken from the Turks at Lepanto, as well as ancient weapons and portraits of various people. These elements bring together architectural history, family history and military tradition.
Cycle path on a former railway line
The Fiuggi–Paliano cycle path follows the route of the former Roma–Fiuggi–Frosinone railway line. The former railway connection is therefore also one of the topics you can take into account when planning your trip if cycling and transport history are a good match.
More destinations
If you would like to compare other places for your travel planning, you can find Fumone, Esperia, Filettino, Arpino, Gallinaro, Castrocielo, Ferentino and Sant'Apollinare here.
For the higher-level travel overview: Frosinone.
