By car:
From the north
Take the motorway A1 FIRENZE-ROMA and leave it at the Ponzano Soratte toll, then follow the indications to Poggio Mirteto.
From the SS 44 (Salaria): direction Roma, at the traffic lights of Passo Corese turn right and follow the SS 313 (Ternana), direction Poggio Mirteto. After having passed the train station of Poggio Mirteto Scalo turn right in the first intersection and again right in the second intersection.

From the south
Take the motorway A1 NAPOLI-ROMA, at San Cesareo take the diversion to the motorway A1 FIRENZE-ROMA, direction Roma; leave the motorway at the Fiano Romano toll and then follow SS4 Salaria, direction Rieti until you arrive at Passo Corese. At the traffic lights of Passo Corese turn left and follow the SS 313 (Ternana), direction Poggio Mirteto. . After having passed the train station of Poggio Mirteto Scalo turn right in the first intersection and again right in the second intersection.

By train:
Montopoli is easy to reach from Rome and from Orte with the train line FIUMICINO AEROPORTO-ROMA-ORTE. There is a train every hour from Rome and the nearest station to Montopoli is that of Poggio Mirteto Scalo. For each arriving train there is a blue-coloured COTRAL-bus at the station for Montopoli.

For further information:
Servizio FS informa tel. 892 021 (from land line).
http://www.trenitalia.it

The town centre still shows its medieval aspect in the narrow streets and remains of the ancient town walls. Montopoli has about 388 inhabitants and is set on an evergreen hill, about 50 km away from Rieti, Rome and Terni. It offers a beautiful view over tens of Sabina villages, plains of Tevere and Farfa, surrounded by Sabina Mountains, with the peaks of Tancia and Soratte. The Medieval Village in the hamlet of Bocchignano is worth visiting.

Although the origins of Montopoli are uncertain, the historians of Sabina confirm that during the period of Augustus, the villa of the rich Caio Asinio Pollione, famous learnt man and roman general at that time, was located in Montopoli. According to the historians Montopoli's name derives from Mons Pollionis which became Mons Operis (for the laboriousness of its population) with the time passing and later on Monti Opuli (for the abundance of its nature). It is set in an area rich in archaeological finds dating from the Roman period: in 290 bC Curio Dentato subdued the ancient Città di Cures which had ruled the area so far, opening the way to new Roman settlements and initiating the history of Montopoli. The story tells that Montopoli passed under the dominion of Farfa Abbey around year 1000 and from then onwards it was affected by all the events of the famous abbey. It became involved in the fights between emperors and popes and its inhabitants distinguished themselves from the faithful warriors. Around year 1000 Abbot Ugo ordered a Tower to be built on the highest point of the village to dominate the valley; it is still well-conserved today. In 1243 Pope Gregorio IX ordered Montopoli to be looted and destroyed. The period of dominion started after the reconstruction of the town; it was first passed to the Colonna and then returned to Farfa. It also served as dwelling for the abbots Arnaldo and Nicolò II for a short period. Then Montopoli passed to the Orsini and the Felici. This was a period of excitement and initiatives. Beautiful Palazzo Orsini and, although renovated, the Franciscan Sanctuary of Santa Maria degli Angeli, are still visible from Porta Romana.

Santa Maria degli Angeli's church
This church is set along the road that leads to Montopoli. In addition to rich stuccoes, it preserves frescos dating from 1650, painted by Vincenzo Manenti.

Santa Maria delle Grazie's church
Particularly interesting 17th century building, preserving a Madonna with the child, realized by Andrea Bacciomei in 1602.

S. Michele Arcangelo's church
Dating from the second half of the 17th century this church presents a beautiful bell tower that overlooks the living area.

S. Giovanni's church (fraz. Bocchignano)
Dates back to the end of 1400.

Santa Maria Assunta's church (fraz. Pontesfondato)
Modern style building dating from 1970's.

Torre Ugonesca
Dating back to the 11th century, this tower has been beautifully restored.

Palazzo Bondioli Osio
This palazzo is a private property and was probably built at the end of the sixteenth century. Set in a strategic position on a hill, it was of great military importance during Middle Ages. The base has a trapezoidal form and it stands on the remains of a tower of the city wall.

Bocchignano
Bocchignano was the first castle built in the area according to Farfa's records. The earliest data goes back to 939 when the castle was donated to Farfa Abbey. Three years later the pope Benedetto VIII granted the entire area of the

Farfa Abbey
Farfa Abbey's origins are a mystery. Even the munk Gregorio da Catino, who reorganised and collected monastic documents between 11th and 12th century, confessed that, as a matter of fact, nobody knew anything precise about the origins and following happenings of the monastery, except that after the founder died, the area had been destroyed by Longobards and the Farfa site had been devastated. About a century later the abbey was rebuilt by a small maniple of munks, guided by Tommaso, who during a pilgrimage in the Holy Land had a vision of Madonna and was ordered by her to go to Sabina and rebuild the church that was dedicated to her and had been destroyed. Farfa's location gave it a strong political connotation and as a consequence the influence increased inside the Italic territory to the point that the Longobards took the monastery under their protection. The becoming royal monastery brought luck to Farfa, which was inserted in the context of European renascence. Later on the braking of the Carolingian empire allowed the Hungarian incursions, and the monastery was occupied and set on fire during the first months of 898. The reconstruction was started in the beginning of the 10th century and revealed to be slow and difficult.

Monte Tancia (1292 m above sea level, Poggio Catino)
Tancia, among the highest peaks of the Sabine mountains, represents one of the most beautiful areas of Sabina. A wonderful landscape of still uncontaminated environment can be admired from this area. Along the well-marked paths and on the warmer sides of the hill it is possible to admire the Mediterranean vegetation with woods of holm-oaks that above 800 m give space to pastures, meadows and beechwoods. At some points this area is almost inaccessible for man, and that is why several animal species have managed to survive the extinction.

Regional Nature Reserve Tevere Farfa:
For further information:

Centro visite ed Uffici:
Casale della Cesa
Via Tiberina km.35
Torrita Tiberina (RM)
0765-30271

The woods of Selva Marcigliana
The Selva Marcigliana Park is an ideal place to observe the characteristic vegetation of the Tevere plain.
The woods is a coppice characterised by Turkey oaks, British oaks and durmast oaks.

Among the places worth visiting there is the river Farfa, in which it is possible to swim in summer time and just admire the small lakes.

Among the local traditional gastronomic specialties there are "Frigulozzi", a pasta type prepared with baker's yeast which is usually served with fresh tomatoes, olive oil and grated sheep's milk cheese. "Frittelli di Borragine" is another traditional specialty and to which Montopoli has dedicated a regularly held village festival.

Ristorante Pizzeria "I Granari"
v. Granari n° 47
tel. 0765-279490

Ristorante Il Casale del Farfa
Via ternana Km. 7,100
tel. 0765-322047(chiuso martedì)
Locale all'interno di una azienda agricola. Piatti semplici con pasta e dolci fatti in casa. Prezzi medi.

Agriturismo le Murene
Via colle Ballone loc. Campore
tel. 0765-276054

Ristorante Il Poggetto
Via Ternana n°45
tel. 0765-26299

Agriturismo Colle dell'Orso
Via Ternana n°62 loc. Collesecco
tel. 0765-279879

Agriturismo le Murene
Via colle Ballone loc. Campore
tel. 0765-276054

Agriturismo Podere Moricelli
Loc. Moricelli
tel. 0765-322160

Agriturismo Il Rodeo
Via Caprareccia n°6
tel. 0765-279060