Vacone: Roman Villa, Nature and Traditional Festivals

Vacone between landscapes, history and festival culture

Vacone combines a striking contrast in landscapes with archaeological evidence, sacred art and festivals. Local specialties are part of the program at several festivals.

The Vacone area is where two clearly distinct geographical environments meet: the Mediterranean maquis and the Apennine maquis. Bosco del Pago is a natural oasis about 1 kilometer from the town center and a mysterious sacred forest, also mentioned by Pliny the Elder.

Routes on different scales

The Cicloturistica dei Borghi Sabini is a circuit more than 100 kilometers long that passes through Vacone. There is also the Vacone–Cima dell'Immagine–Romitorio route. It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes and has an elevation gain of 330 meters.

The Romitorio di Sant'Orsola is also known as the Santuario di Santa Maria della Pietà. It is located at an altitude of 806 meters on the southern slope of Monte Cosce. A procession from Vacone reaches the Romitorio di Sant'Orsola on Pentecost Day.

Archaeology, architecture and sacred art

The Chiesa della Madonna della Fonte in Vacone was built by Rutilio Antonelli in the first half of the 17th century. The Villa Romana di Vacone features monumental cryptoporticoes; the villa also has mosaics made from Rosso-Cottanello stone.

The Fonte di Bandusia is a little more than 500 meters from the Villa Romana di Vacone and is the second stop on the Horatian Itinerary. The archaeological materials from the excavations of the Villa Romana di Vacone are presented digitally. They include pottery, bricks, fragments of wall plaster and mosaics, coins, and architectural terracottas.

The Castello di Vacone consists of two buildings, a belvedere courtyard and a garden. The church of San Giovanni Evangelista houses a valuable tempera-painted panel triptych. It is attributed to Marco Antonio Aquili of the school of Antoniazzo Romano.

Festivals with regional specialties

The Festa d'Autunno has taken place in Vacone on the last Sunday in October since 1999. At this event, Sabine DOP olive oil, wine, cured meats, honey, chestnuts and cheese are offered for public tasting.

The Festa di San Giovanni Evangelista is celebrated in Vacone on December 27 with the traditional dish Padellaccia. The Festa della Madonna della Fonte is traditionally celebrated on November 21. At the Festa della Madonna della Pietà, the festival traditionally reaches its peak on Pentecost Day. This Festa includes traditional games and refreshments with typical local sweets; it ends with a solemn procession and fireworks.

Suoni e sapori sotto le stelle is a gastronomic and cultural event that has taken place for more than 20 years. For the occasion, food stalls offering a wide variety of local specialties are set up in Vacone's four central squares. Bosco del Pago continues to be a venue and setting for festivals held by the entire Vacone community.

Further places for planning your trip

If you would like to extend your trip beyond Vacone, here are some other places: Fara In Sabina, Poggio Nativo, Poggio Vittiano, San Polo, Accumoli, Stimigliano, Orvinio and Varco Sabino.

For the higher-level travel overview: Rieti.