Poggio Moiano – Nature, Trails and Infiorata

Nature trails, the historic center and the Infiorata each offer a different perspective on Poggio Moiano. The area of the Parco Naturale Regionale dei Monti Lucretili within the municipal boundaries, the named routes and the cultural sites offer different ways to experience the town. The festivals also differ in theme and timing: the Infiorata is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart, while the Sagra dell’Asparago Selvatico celebrates wild asparagus. When planning your trip, you can decide whether landscapes, trails, art or festival traditions should take center stage.

Landscape in the Parco Naturale Regionale dei Monti Lucretili

The area of the Parco Naturale Regionale dei Monti Lucretili within the municipal boundaries of Poggio Moiano includes the northern part of the Monte Pendente massif. Dense forests, mainly of hornbeams, downy oaks and manna ashes, shape the landscape there. The forests alternate with shrub-covered pastures. For nature lovers, this offers a concrete point of reference: the landscape comprises both forests shaped by several tree species and pastureland with its shrub cover.

Trails and navigation

CAI Route No. 309 Poggio Moiano–Monte Pellecchia is an alternative route to the Via dei Lupi. Its starting point in Poggio Moiano is the Chiesa di San Sebastiano. From there, follow the visible red-and-white trail markers. After about 150 meters, the route follows the Fosso del Rio into an oak forest and reaches Fonte Castello. There is a picnic area with a fire pit there. The Via Francigena di San Francesco passes through the historic center of Poggio Moiano. These are different reference points for navigation: the CAI route has a named starting point, trail markers and Fonte Castello, while the Via Francigena di San Francesco is identified by its route through the town center.

Churches and Museo dell’Infiorata

The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Concezione e San Giovanni Battista is located in the historic center. It preserves frescoes from the 15th and 16th centuries. The Museo dell’Infiorata was established in 2018 in an old wine cellar in the heart of Poggio Moiano. Its exhibits include photographs from past Infiorata celebrations, floral elements, dried flowers and documents on the “spiluccatura” and “infioratura” techniques. The cultural collection thus includes images of past festivals, as well as floral materials and documents on the named techniques.

The Chiesa rurale di San Sebastiano also brings together art and a fixed date in the annual calendar. The church contains a fresco depicting Saint Sebastian, signed by the painter Manenti. The community of Poggio Moiano celebrates its patron saint, San Sebastiano, there every year on January 20.

Infiorata and festivals throughout the year

The Infiorata in honor of the Most Sacred Heart takes place on the last Saturday in June and is Poggio Moiano’s most important festival. Flowers are collected throughout the year for the next edition, with the collection beginning in the days following the previous edition. The festival day is therefore part of a longer preparation process. The Sagra dell’Asparago Selvatico is a food festival in Poggio Moiano held in mid-May and dedicated to wild asparagus. Along with the patron saint’s festival on January 20, these offer occasions with different themes and dates. Check the dates of the specific festival editions before your trip; the exact dates of the asparagus festival may vary.

Discover more destinations: Gavignano Sabino, Poggio Nativo, Talocci, Apoleggia, Fara In Sabina, San Giovanni Reatino, Poggio Vittiano, Nespolo

View the broader travel guide: Rieti.