Santa Maria Di Galeria: Galeria Antica and Sanctuary

Santa Maria Di Galeria combines traces of history, a landscape shaped by vegetation and religious heritage. The main attractions are the ruins of Galeria Antica on the Arrone, the agricultural Casale and Borgo Santa Maria di Galeria, as well as the Santa Maria in Celsano Sanctuary. If you are looking for a place with different historical layers, you can find Etruscan, medieval and more recent traces side by side here.

Galeria Antica Between History and Landscape

The ruins of the medieval village of Galeria Antica stand on a high tuff spur above the Arrone River. The origins of Galeria Antica probably date back to the Etruscan period. Galeria was strategically located at an important crossroads between the ancient Clodia, Cassia and Aurelia roads. Along the gorge below the ancient settlement are Etruscan necropolises with chamber tombs.

Near the entrance to Galeria Antica, the bell tower of the Church of Sant’Andrea rises above the foliage. The church was consecrated in 1204 and demolished in 1837 to obtain building materials. Galeria Antica is also part of the historic route of the Via Claudia Braccianese.

Natural Monument and Access

The Galeria Antica natural monument was established by Decree No. 794 of the President of the Lazio Region on May 24, 1999. Access at Via S. Maria di Galeria 691 is only possible as part of organized tours. The signposted turnoff is on Via di Santa Maria di Galeria; from there, a narrow footpath leads to a mule track running through the vegetation. The route down to the Arrone and back to the starting point takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes.

Arrone, Mill and Wildlife

At the foot of Galeria Antica, an old mill stands on the Arrone River. The Arrone is the outlet of Lake Bracciano; the mill bears witness to the human, social and economic activity of that time. Numerous nocturnal birds of prey live in the ruins, including tawny owls.

Borgo and Rural Character

The Casale di Santa Maria di Galeria still preserves the appearance of an agriculturally oriented village. The Borgo Santa Maria di Galeria was established in 1822. The inscription “Anno Domini MDCCCXXII” appears on the small tower above the entrance arch. The clock from Galeria’s main gate was also reused: today, it adorns the gate on Piazza Santa Maria di Galeria in the nearby agricultural Borgo.

Santa Maria in Celsano

The early Christian Church of Santa Maria in Celsano has medieval origins and acquired its neo-Gothic appearance through a 19th-century renovation during the pontificate of Leo XIII. On December 8, 2015, it was elevated to sanctuary status under the title “Santa Maria in Celsano Madre della Consolazione”. For centuries, the sanctuary has preserved a Marian icon from the East, dating approximately to the year 1300.

Practical Information for Visits

Visits to the Santa Maria in Celsano Sanctuary and its museum are possible on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., as well as on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The service is provided by volunteers and may be subject to change. Individual visitors can visit the museum on Sunday afternoons from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and receive an audio guide at the entrance. Groups can visit the sanctuary and its museum outside opening hours by arranging a day and time in advance.

For comparing other destinations, you can also research Cesano, Civitella San Paolo, Bagni Di Stigliano, Lavinio Lido Di Enea, Nerola, Passo Oscuro, Castel Giuliano and Tolfa.

For the higher-level travel overview: Rome.