Between the via Salaria, Nomentana and Palombarese
THE ROMAN SABINE AREA
The Sabine landscape, characterized at first by gentle slopes covered by vineyards and olive groves, which are gradually replaced by higher and rougher peaks, is crossed by via Salaria and not very different from the ancient Roman road which reached the Apennines.
The road, which follows the Tiber’s course, was built to carry salt from Rome to the internal regions; this explains its name. It was built in pre-Roman era in an area which was subjected to Rome in 290 B.C., following harsh fighting between the Romans and the Sabines. Soon the area became an important food supply for the Roman market.
The age-old olive groves and magnificent vineyards form the characteristic landscape of the Bassa Sabina (Lower Sabine area) and are, to this day, the pride of the regional agriculture whose famous and delicate oil is celebrated by the many town fairs - much loved by gourmets.
The part of the Sabine area belonging to Rome province (Bassa Sabina) stretches towards the south-east, over a plain crossed by via Nomentana, and reaches the via Palombarese, which joins via Nomentana and via Tiburtina. The following three itineraries fully reflect these diverse scenes, and each traces one of the ancient roads. The first leads to the stretch of via Salaria which borders the Riserva Naturale (nature reserve) della Marcigliana; it allows visitors to admire the well-preserved landscape of the once common and widespread Agro (countryside) Romano. The second presents a rich historical panorama stretching from pre-history through Roman, Medieval and Garibaldian eras, along via Nomentana. This road also bore witness to the disastrous defeat of the camicie rosse (red shirts) along the path to Italy’s unification. The third follows via Palombarese; its name comes from the Medieval town of Palombara Sabina, in the Parco (park) dei Monti Luretili. The mountains are crossed by many streams - some of which are underground - and marked by fascinating karstic formations. They are home to an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna.
The town then became almost depopulated, but the surrounding territory kept its agricultural tradition: vines, fruit and vegetables were grown, and animals raised, for the Roman market.
Archaeological excavations have brought to light a necropolis with many tombs, each with - mainly earthenware - funerary offerings. The pottery’s original forms testify the existence of fine craftsmanship in Crustumerium. After the Roman period, during medieval re-organization, the Casale (farmhouse) della Marcigliana was built on the ruins of an ancient building; today it has been restored and is the Casa (house) del Parco, which explains country life and hosts a permanent exhibition on the city of Crustumerium.
An educational farm on the Reserve holds activities on both environmental education and other customary functions.
The Reserve also holds an archaeological-natural itinerary, which includes entrance to the necropolis, where different kinds of educational material help visitors to reconstruct the exact arrangement of funerary offerings.
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Historycal itineraries
