Tarano: Historic Townscapes and Olive-Grove Hills

Tarano can be explored through two themes: historic architectural styles and hills shaped by olive groves. As you plan your trip, you can first decide whether you are more interested in the churches and historic townscape or the surrounding landscape.

Churches and Monastery Architecture

The Convento San Francesco is a characteristic example of 13th-century Franciscan monastic architecture. It comprises a church and an adjoining monastery. The portico, cloister, and former cells add details of different architectural features. The former cells point to the complex’s earlier use; together with the church and monastery, they illustrate the connection between religious and monastic architecture. Its 13th-century date and Franciscan architecture provide two specific points of reference for understanding the convent.

The Chiesa di SS. Pietro e Paolo is the main church in the district of San Polo in Tarano and also the palace church of the Castello di Santo Polo. These two designations place the church in different contexts: one identifies its role in the district, the other its relationship to the castle. The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta in Tarano provides another architectural point of reference: it has a late Romanesque façade. The churches therefore have different distinguishing features—the role in the district and connection to the castle for SS. Pietro e Paolo, and the façade design for Santa Maria Assunta.

Historic Center and Getting Around

The historic settlement of Tarano is surrounded by medieval walls. In the historic center, tower houses and adjoining stone houses stand around a cathedral described as pre-Romanesque. The walls enclose the settlement, while the houses and cathedral characterize the center’s built environment. The townscape can thus be understood both through its outer framework and through the different forms within it.

The route to the castle also has a clearly described starting point: in Tarano, an uphill road leads from the citadel gate all the way to the castle. If you include this route in your day’s plans, take the climb into account as part of finding your way around.

Hills, Sanctuary, and Celebrations

The hills around Tarano are characterized by olive groves and largely unspoiled vegetation. Olive groves are a specific feature of the landscape; the description of the vegetation also conveys its general character. The surrounding area therefore offers a different focus from the churches and historic architectural styles found in the townscape.

Near Tarano, just outside the town in the green surroundings of San Polo, stands the Madonna della Noce sanctuary. If you plan to visit, check access in advance. Its location outside the town makes it easy to identify the sanctuary as a separate point of interest in the surrounding area.

San Giorgio is Tarano’s patron saint. The civil and religious celebrations in his honor take place on April 23. If you would like to plan your trip around this date, check the local program in advance.

Discover more destinations: Madonna del Mattone, Torri In Sabina, Montopoli Di Sabina, Rieti, Casali, Colle Di Tora, Colli Sul Velino, Santa Rufina.

Back to the main travel overview: Rieti.