Chia: Tuff, Towers and Water Landscapes

Historic Chia Between Tuffstone and Valley Views

Chia presents itself as a historic place with tuffstone architecture, a green valley landscape and traces of different eras. The historic centre of Chia is still built from tuffstone and overlooks a green valley. The old village of Chia lies on a tuff hill to the right of the Fosso Castello and is a remarkable example of the urban planning of a small fortified medieval centre. For your holiday, this means a townscape where history and landscape come together directly.

Tower, Church and Film History

The Torre di Chia provides a striking feature in the townscape: the tower is 42 metres high, pentagonal and crowned with old battlements. During the filming of “The Gospel According to St. Matthew”, the writer bought the Torre di Chia; it later became his second home. The baptism scene from the same film was shot at the Cascate di Chia.

Madonna delle Grazie and Medieval Traces

The Church of Madonna delle Grazie combines architectural history and art. Construction began in 1617; at the same time, it marks the start of the sightseeing route through the old village of Chia. The church contains a copy of a 15th-century triptych. It depicts the blessing Redeemer between the Madonna Annunziata and the announcing angel. The original village of Chia was built around the year 1100.

Fosso Castello: Mills, Rocks and Water

Around Fosso Castello, it becomes clear how water and earlier uses shaped the landscape. Near Fosso Castello stand the ruins of two old medieval mills, which were used until the period after the Second World War to produce grain products and oil. In the first mill, large stone millstones are still clearly visible; they were powered by the stream's water. Small waterfalls formed there from the remains of a medieval dam and volcanic rock blocks. The rock formations known as the “Marmitte dei Giganti” comprise basins, channels and water steps created by the erosion and abrasion of the rock.

Walking Routes to Etruscan Tombs

The park's circular routes also lead to Etruscan tombs. This allows Chia to be experienced through both its paths and its archaeological traces.

San Giovenale and a Sweet Local Detail

The patronal festival of San Giovenale is part of the local calendar. It always begins on 3 May; the actual celebration takes place on the first weekend of the month. It includes the Biscotto di San Giovenale, a sweet handmade pastry that is still prepared today for the occasion of the festival.

The Etruscan Pyramid Towards Bomarzo

In the direction of Bomarzo, the Etruscan Pyramid lies within the municipality of Soriano nel Cimino. It is a rock site with sacred functions; its exact origin and purpose remain unclear to archaeology. For visitors interested in archaeology, this very open question is an essential aspect.

Chia for Your Stay

When choosing a hotel or other accommodation for your stay in Chia, it helps to establish a clear focus: Would you mainly like to explore the fortified village and its church art, view the water formations and remains of the mills, or combine circular routes with Etruscan tombs? The features of the area offer different points of connection without anticipating the characteristics of any individual accommodation.

More destinations for planning your trip to Italy: Calcata Vecchia, Sutri, Roccalvecce, Trevinano, Farnese, Vitorchiano, Castel Sant'Elia, Gradoli.

To the higher-level travel overview: Viterbo.