Page 222 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

220 BACK ROADS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ITALY

1 Rieti
Rieti, Lazio; 02100
Before the Romans established their
Empire, Central Italy was occupied
by a number of warlike tribes. The
Sabines lived on the slopes of the
Apennines and fought often with
their neighbour, Rome, before
eventually being defeated in 295 BC.
Rieti was one of the Sabines’ largest
settlements and its medieval city
walls are still standing around this
bustling provincial capital, which is
regarded as the geographical centre
of Italy today, as marked in Piazza San provides spectacular views and a
Rufo. Unusually, the city centre has number of the original mountain huts
three linked piazzas, one of which (now abandoned) can be seen.
(Piazza Vittorio Emanuele) was the ª Follow SS4bis uphill, at the end of
Above Fountain in Rieti, once a prominent old Roman forum. The beautiful Piazzale Campoforogna, turn left for
Sabine town Right Cascata da Marmore, Romanesque arches of the crypt of Leonessa, on SP10. The road circles
a spectacular man-made waterfall the Papal Palace in Via Cintia are the mountain down to Leonessa with
worth a visit. The Basilica di Santa amazing views. Turn left into SS471,
WATERSPORTS ADVENTURES Maria Assunta (open daily) has an and then left again at town gate to
impressive exterior and bell tower parking area. In winter, return to Rieti
The Centro Canoa e Rafting “Le
Marmore”(Via Carlo Neri 28, 05037, (1252), linked by a fine loggia. and take SS79 north to Leonessa.
Papigno Terni; 330 753 420; www. ª There are many brown signs to
raftingmarmore.com) organizes Terminillo. Head for Via del Terminillo, 3 Leonessa
rafting and inner-tube river descents. SS4bis, uphill for 20 km (12 miles). Turn Rieti, Lazio; 02016
left into the car park at the village. Virtually hidden among the Monti
WHERE TO STAY
Reatini, this lovely old town is a
RIETI 2 Terminillo surprising find. Enter through the
Grande Albergo Quattro Stagioni Rieti, Lazio; 02017 northern gate, the impressive Porta
inexpensive–moderate This accessible and modern ski resort Spoletina, into the narrow Corso San
This grand old-style hotel in the historic is a winter playground for modern- Giuseppe, the main street by virtue
centre offers a wide range of facilities. day Romans. In warmer months the of its shops, bars and 15th-century
Piazza Cesare Battisti 14, 02100; 0746
271 071; www.hotelquattrostagioni.com village and its surroundings provide Chiesa di Santa Maria del Popolo. It
welcome relief from the heat of the suddenly opens out into the large
Hotel Miramonti moderate–expensive plains below. The area was first Piazza VII Aprile, the scene of most of
Set in one of the oldest buildings in
Rieti, this four-star hotel has moderately established as a resort in the 1930s the town’s social activity. The square
priced rooms and more expensive suites. and now has all the facilities of an is larger than in most towns this size
Piazza Oberdan 5, 02100; 0746 201 alpine ski village. A pleasant 15-minute as many of its public buildings were
333; www.hotelmiramonti.rieti.it; circular walk at Campoforogna destroyed in an earthquake in 1703.
parking can be difficult.
Park Hotel Villa Potenziani expensive
On a hill outside town, this villa enjoys all
the benefits of a country location –
silence, fresh air and top views (note: it’s
often used for weddings on weekends).
Via Colle San Mauro 6, 02100; 0746
202 765; www.villapotenziani.it
LEONESSA
Hotel La Torre inexpensive
This chalet-style hotel is handy for
the old town and the ski fields. Full-
or half-board accommodation is
available as it has its own restaurant.
Largo Bixio Cherubini 1, 02016; 074
692 2166; www.hotellatorreleonessa.it
Right Fortified Labro, founded on a steep hill
in the 10th or 11th century Far right Porta
Spolentina, one of the main gates of Leonessa

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Back Roads LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue Spread template “UK” LAYER
(OpenType)
Date 02 November 2009
Size 145mm x 217mm
Fonts Bulletfont, Clearbullet,
Frutiger Pro, Myriad Pro, Travelfont