Cervara di Roma between mountain art and starry skies

Cervara di Roma is located in the Monti Simbruini Regional Nature Park and combines mountain landscapes with a rich cultural history. In the historic center, artistically designed paths, medieval landmarks and sacred art come together. There is also a mountain bike route, a park trail, regional mountain cuisine and astronomical observations.

Art and history in the historic center

The Scalinata degli Artisti is an artistic landmark in the historic center of Cervara di Roma. The Montagna Scolpita di Cervara di Roma continues the tradition of “open-air art,” which began in the early 1970s, when many artists created frescoes, mosaics and murals on the façades of the houses. The Chiesa di Maria SS. della Visitazione is located in the same historic setting. The church is built from local stone and houses a 17th-century painting depicting the “Visitazione.”

The medieval Rocca dates from the first half of the 11th century. It was built as a military fortress to defend the area. From the town center, the Scalinata della Pace connects the settlement with the remains of the medieval Rocca; its design includes artistic figures.

On the outskirts of the town stands Santa Maria della Portella, an old church dating from 1702 with views over the Aniene Valley. Above the altar is a statue of the “Madonna col Bambino.”

Below the Collegiata di Santa Maria della Visitazione is the Museo della Montagna, Transumanti e Pittori, housed in the curia’s former granaries. Exhibits include traditional costumes from Cervara di Roma, coral jewelry, reconstructed living quarters, votive offerings, books and sacred vestments. Agricultural tools, livestock-farming equipment, as well as drawings and reproductions of famous paintings complete the collection. The cultural and historical tour includes educational materials in English and Braille.

Mountains, trails and a bike ride

Park Trail 662 connects the town of Cervara di Roma with the resort town of Campaegli. For a bike ride, MTB Route 3 is also available; it is 24.20 kilometers long and begins and ends in Cervara di Roma.

Traveling from Rome

From Rome, the road connection follows the A24 Roma–L’Aquila motorway to the Vicovaro–Mandela exit. The route then continues along Via Tiburtina-Valeria (SS5) to Arsoli, followed by the provincial panoramic road to Cervara.

Mountain cuisine and observations in the sky

The mountain cuisine of Cervara di Roma includes fettuccine with truffles, porcini mushrooms or castrated meat, gnocchi, polenta, strozzapreti and grilled meat. Locally produced pecorino and ricotta also form part of the town’s culinary character.

The Osservatorio Astronomico Claudio del Sole is a public facility in Cervara di Roma in the Parco dei Monti Simbruini and was inaugurated on July 12, 2008. During the day, sunspots and prominences are observed there. After sunset, the focus turns to planets, constellations and distant galaxies.

For further travel planning: Montelanico, Albano Laziale, Capena, Marcellina, Anguillara Sabazia, Torre Gaia, Santa Maria Di Galeria and Cineto Romano.

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