Santa Maria: Festa dell’Ara, Ninfeo and History

When planning a trip to Santa Maria, you can weigh up three different themes: the Festa dell’Ara in August, the history of the Ninfeo di Santa Maria, and a river walk in the Farfa Valley. If you are looking for hotels in Santa Maria, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: would you like to plan your trip around the seasonal festival date, historical connections, or a guided walk? This distinction provides a clear basis for your planning, since the festival and the walk each raise different practical questions.

Getting there and historical context

Anyone travelling from Rome to Montopoli di Sabina on the SS 313 passes through Santa Maria. This is a clear landmark when travelling along this road. Santa Maria is also counted among the medieval settlements in the Montopoli di Sabina area. The road connection and the settlement’s history offer two perspectives: one places the town along your journey, while the other situates it in the history of the area.

The Ninfeo di Santa Maria and the landscape

Since the Middle Ages, local residents have known the Ninfeo di Santa Maria by the name Grott’e Stolfe (grotta di Astolfo). This local name is a specific link to the history of the Ninfeo and to the traditions of Santa Maria.

Several Roman remains have been found in the area around the Ninfeo. These finds add a Roman-era connection to the medieval settlement context. The local tradition surrounding the name dates back to the Middle Ages, while the finds in the area are from Roman times.

The area around the Ninfeo is remote and characterised by lush nature. Alongside its historical connections, this gives you a natural setting to consider when planning your trip: you can weigh up whether the history of the place or its nature-rich surroundings should be the main focus of your stay.

Festa dell’Ara in August

The Festa dell’Ara is held in Santa Maria in August. It includes a traditional tasting of typical local products and events showcasing the area. For travellers interested in local products, the tasting adds a culinary highlight; the other events put the area in the spotlight. If the Festa is a deciding factor in your trip, check in advance whether it will take place in your chosen year.

River walk in the Farfa Valley

A description of a guided river walk in the Farfa Valley, published in 2018, gives a route of about 1 km along Via Santa Maria and then Via Pantani to the junction with Via Caprareccia. The excursion is rated moderate. The distance of about 1 km refers to the described road section, while the rating applies to the guided excursion.

If you plan to take the walk, check route conditions and the availability of the guided excursion before travelling. The Festa offers a seasonal reason to visit in August; the description of the walk, by contrast, gives you information about a road section and the excursion’s rating. This will help you decide first whether your travel dates are more likely to be determined by the festival or by your interest in the walk.

Discover more destinations: Nespolo, Montebuono, Colle Di Tora, Gavignano Sabino, Magliano Sabina, Monteleone Sabino, Casali, Stimigliano.

See the broader travel overview: Rieti.