Discover Dunarobba: Fossil Forest and Fortresses

Dunarobba Between Geological History and Defensive Architecture

Dunarobba combines an extraordinary geological history with striking fortress architecture. The Foresta Fossile di Dunarobba has been temporarily closed to the public since 22 August 2026 due to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance work. The Centro di Paleontologia Vegetale reconstructs the geological, climatic, and faunal characteristics of the Foresta Fossile di Dunarobba using finds, explanatory panels, and true-to-scale models.

A Fossil Forest from the Time of Lago Tiberino

The prehistoric Lago Tiberino was 1,000 metres deep, disappeared 400,000 years ago, and preserved the Foresta Fossile di Dunarobba. The tree trunks formed in the clay deposits of the ancient Lago Tiberino. An oxygen-free environment mummified them, allowing them to survive as wood rather than turning to stone. This origin story makes the fossil sequoia forest a particularly vivid subject for travellers who wish to combine landscapes and natural history.

A Circular Route for Different Activities

The Cammino della Pietra Bianca is connected with Dunarobba and its famous fossil sequoia forest site. The circular route is 130 kilometres long and can be completed on foot, by mountain bike, or using a Joëlette. There is a car park near the site of the Foresta Fossile di Dunarobba. When planning your stay, you can therefore combine the route with the themes of geological history and the regional landscape without having to follow a specific itinerary.

Fortresses and Sacred History

The Fortezza Alta di Dunarobba is an imposing building from the 15th century. With its square layout and towers, the fortress guards the valley and was part of a defensive system for controlling the area. Dunarobba’s square fortress also shapes the appearance of the town. Around the 17th century, the parish of Pieve di San Vittorina was transferred to the Church of San Giovanni di Dunarobba because of its loss of importance.

Other Destinations in the Surrounding Area

In the wider regional area around Dunarobba lies the ancient site of Rovine di Carsoli. Also located in this wider regional area are Castello di Corbara, Palazzo Gazzoli, and Palazzo Bianchini - Riccardi. In the vicinity of Dunarobba are Monte Casalecchio, Monte Piglio, Monte Rotondo, and Monte Pianicel Grande.

The combination of a fossil forest, historic buildings, mountains, and a versatile circular route offers different focuses for your trip to Italy. When choosing accommodation, you can therefore consider whether your days will be shaped primarily by culture, geological history, physical activity, or excursions in the wider regional area. A hotel in Dunarobba thus becomes the starting point for your personal travel planning, without the individual destinations becoming part of a single shared site.

Places for Further Planning

Torreorsina, Ferentillo, Amelia, Alviano, Calvi Dell Umbria, Vasciano, San Marino and Rosaro offer further points of reference for finding your way around the region.

For the higher-level travel overview: Terni.