Vallecorsa: Churches, Olive Groves and Living Traditions

Vallecorsa Among Churches, Olive Groves and Festivals

Vallecorsa is home to ancient settlement remains, Romanesque and Gothic religious buildings, and traces of the medieval period. The Festa della Pupètta and the Palio delle Quattro Porte take place on fixed dates.

Ruins of Acquaviva and Paths in the Surrounding Area

The ruins of Acquaviva preserve the remains of an ancient fortified settlement dating from the 11th century AD. An easy circular trail leads to the ruins of the fortified settlement. The footpath to the ruins begins after approximately one kilometre along the access road.

Churches and Historical Testimonies

Vallecorsa is home to the ancient Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate, which is Gothic in origin; medieval sections of walls and tower ruins have also been preserved. Despite various renovations and alterations, the Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo has retained its original Gothic style. The Chiesa di San Martino dates from around 1000 to 1100 and is a three-aisled Romanesque church with stone columns and stone arcades. At the beginning of the 15th century, during the Western Schism, a fresco of the Virgin Mary appeared in the Chiesa Matrice di San Martino and is considered miraculous. The church is connected with the Santuario Madonna della Sanità.

Olive Groves on Historic Terraces

In the hills of the Parco Naturale Regionale dei Monti Ausoni e Lago di Fondi, olive groves lie on terraces made of dry-stone walls, locally known as “macére”. Statutes granted by the Caetani family in 1327 have been documented for these walls. The olive-growing landscape of Vallecorsa was the first olive-growing landscape to be included in Mipaaf’s National Register of Rural Landscapes.

Museums, Film History and Religious Memorial Sites

The Casa Museo di Maria De Mattias is dedicated to the life and work of the first saint of Ciociaria, who was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2003. The Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie was a filming location for the movie “La Ciociara”. The church also contains the niches of her Stations of the Cross, created by San Leonardo da Porto Maurizio.

Festivals on Fixed Dates

The Festa della Pupètta, held in honour of the Evangelist Mark, takes place on 25 April. During the procession, children carry their bread dolls, known as “pupètta”. The Palio delle Quattro Porte, held in honour of Countess Jacobella Cajetani, takes place in the last week of August. The four contrade, named after the gates Nova, De Suso, De Missore and Sant’Angelo, compete in games such as tug-of-war, sack racing, “Corsa cu ju cuncouno”, “Corsa cu ju circhio”, “Votte”, “Méila”, a goose game and a musical competition to win the banner in honour of the countess. Jacobella Caetani was a Countess of Fondi who lived in Vallecorsa.

Practical Guidance for Planning Your Trip

Castro-Pofi-Vallecorsa railway station is located in Madonna Del Piano (Castro Dei Volsci), 10 km from Vallecorsa, and is easily accessible by bus. When leaving the town, you can visit the Pozzi della Prata, which constitute a historical and ecological heritage of great value to the community of Vallecorsa.

More Destinations for Planning Your Trip

If you are planning your trip beyond Vallecorsa, you can find more destinations here: Picinisco, Sant'elia Fiumerapido, Monte San Giovanni Campano, Sant'Andrea del Garigliano, Cervaro, Vicalvi, Falvaterra, San Donato Val Di Comino

To the overarching travel overview: Frosinone.