Discover Moricone: Culture, Nature and Local Festivals

Moricone between the Hills, the Tiber Valley and the Lucretili Mountains

From a hill at the foot of the Lucretili Mountains, Moricone overlooks the Tiber Valley. The town lies within the section of the Parco Naturale Regionale dei Monti Lucretili that extends toward Sabina. Monte Matano dominates Moricone; at Le Pedicate, on its western slope, there is a system of polygonal limestone terraces belonging to the park area.

Historic Center and Historical Traces

Palazzo Baronale Savelli rises above the main square of the typically medieval historic center. Palazzo Baronale was built in 1619 by Marcantonio Borghese. The ancient castrum known as La Rocca was probably built around the 11th century at the highest point of Monte Morrecone. Since the 19th century, La Rocca has been partially occupied by the parish church of SS. Assunta.

Art, Churches and Spiritual Heritage

The Museo del Paesaggio Agrario e dell’Ulivo is housed in Moricone’s deconsecrated Chiesa Vecchia. The Chiesa SS. Maria Assunta in Cielo preserves Il Salvatore, a work by Antoniazzo Romano. The Convento dei Padri Passionisti has been based in Moricone since 1839; the convent church contains the tomb of Padre Bernardo Silvestrelli. These buildings and works of art give a visit to the town a cultural depth that extends beyond its medieval silhouette.

Forests, Karst and Olive Groves

Monte Matano forms the western boundary of the protected area. Its dense woodland stands in direct contrast to the cultivated olive groves of Sabina. A distinctive geological feature is the Pozzo Fornillo, a karst cave from which light wisps of vapor emerge in winter.

Sabina Olive Oil and Regional Cuisine

Moricone lies within the production area of Sabina DOP virgin olive oil. At an oleotourism event at the Museo dell'Olio di Moricone, guided tastings of this virgin olive oil were combined with workshops on traditional cuisine. This makes the connection between the product, the museum and culinary education a tangible part of the town’s local themes.

Festivals with Their Own Traditions

On the first Sunday in July, Moricone celebrates the festival in honor of Beato Bernardo, along with the traditional Bernardiadi games. The Sagra della Lumaca also takes place as part of the celebrations on the first Sunday in July. On September 8, the Madonna del Passo is celebrated with a procession during which rhymes are composed and decorations made from leaves are thrown at the statue of the Madonna. The different dates and customs add their own distinctive touches to the course of the year.

Cultural Program at the Teatro Savelli

From July 15 to August 30, 2026, the Teatro Savelli will host a public series of cultural and musical events, film screenings and various performances; it is connected with the programming of previous years.

Other destinations: Nemi, Grottaferrata, Castel Di Leva, Marino, Ariccia, Castelverde, Cerveteri, Monterotondo

For the broader travel overview: Rome.