Picinisco: Historic Centre, Mountain Landscape and Ski Resort

Picinisco is located on the Lazio side of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park in the Monte Meta mountains. Beech, dense chestnut and oak forests surround the town. This combination of mountain landscape, woodland and Italian local history shapes Picinisco’s character. The townscape brings together historic buildings, regional agriculture and winter sports within the natural setting of the Monte Meta mountains. The mountain location and the various types of forest are therefore established features of the local landscape.

Historic Centre and Sacred Buildings

The old town of Picinisco developed around a castle built in the 11th century, with towers and battlemented walls. The castle is now privately owned and marks the starting point of the old town’s development. Several churches stand in the historic centre. The Church of San Rocco dates from the 16th century. The collegiate church of S. Lorenzo Levita e Martire was built in 1305 and later altered several times. The Romanesque Church of Santa Maria Assunta preserves a 14th-century fresco.

Alleys, Squares and Roman Traces

A walk through the alleys of Picinisco’s historic centre leads to Piazza Fucina with its sundial. A century-old plane tree stands in Piazza Ernesto Capocci. A Roman bridge is located along the Ponte Le Branche route. For exploring on foot, the alleys, squares and a route featuring a Roman structure are therefore the main points of interest. The sundial, plane tree and bridge each add their own local detail.

Casa Lawrence in Contrada Cervi

The English writer and playwright David Herbert Lawrence and his wife Frieda stayed at Casa Lawrence in Contrada Cervi in 1919.

Agriculture and Cheese at the Pastorizia in Festival

The Pastorizia in Festival includes guided visits to local farms. The Pastorizia in Festival features cheese tastings led by master tasters and gastronomy experts. At the Pastorizia in Festival, the farms and cheese tastings are two separate programme items of the festival in Picinisco. The festival is usually held over two days on the first weekend of July. For you, this date combines an insight into local agriculture with an expert-led tasting. The two-day duration is just as relevant for planning your time as the usual date on the first weekend of July.

Skiing in Prati di Mezzo

The Prati di Mezzo ski resort in Picinisco offers 3 km of ski runs, a practice area and a red run for skiers and snowboarders. Two lifts transport skiers. For a day of winter sports, the 3 km of ski runs and two lifts provide concrete figures; the practice area and red run remain distinct parts of the offering.

Further Destinations

Further destinations for planning your trip: Porciano, Pignataro Interamna, Fumone, Villa Santa Lucia, Fontechiari, Vallommari, Anagni and Fiuggi.

To the higher-level travel overview: Frosinone.