Antrodoco (RI) - Lazio

Site of what is considered the first battle of the Italian Risorgimento. Also known for its commercial solid attitudes and place of shopping... #tuttitaly

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Antrodoco, the site of the Italian Risorgimento's first battle, is about 500 m high between the Reatini and Cicolano mountains.

The first historical notes come from the geographer Strabo (second half of the 1st century BC), who called this town "Vicus Interocrea." It seems that the city's name comes from the "Osco Interocrium," from the ancient root "ocre" or "between the mountains."

The town is renowned for the characteristic Gorges of Antrodoco and Gole del Velino.

The Italian Touring Club considers the latter "perhaps the wildest and most evocative [gorge] of the whole Apennines." Furthermore, between 7 and 9 March 1821, the Neapolitan troops led by Guglielmo Pepe clashed here with the Austrian army led by General Frimont. The latter won the battle and was rewarded by King Ferdinand I with the title of Prince of Antrodoco.

Among the religious architecture, the parish church dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta is worth a visit.

Inside, of great value, we find the imposing wooden altar with two angels and the dress with gold and silver thread embroidery of the embalmed body of St. Benedict.

Outside the town, you can visit the medieval church of Santa Maria Extra Moenia, built on the remains of a pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Diana.

Another important place of worship is the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grotte; a church built between 1603 and 1604 to honor the discovery in a cave by a nine-year-old shepherdess of a sacred image in which the Virgin and child appear.

However, we must mention the Baths, whose sulfurous waters flow from the springs on the slopes of Monte Giano. They were already used in Roman times, but only towards the end of the 16th century did they take on great importance from a therapeutic point of view.

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