Capena: Borgo, Church Art and Lucus Feroniae

Capena’s cultural character ranges from its old Borgo to religious art and the remains of the ancient city of Lucus Feroniae. Recurring celebrations, the Tiber Valley landscape and traditional sweets add to its appeal. The town offers a range of ways to plan a trip centred on history and local traditions.

Traces of the Old Borgo

The old Borgo is characterised by Roman paving stones, small squares, arches, wooden passageways and a town gate set into the walls. Capena lies on the Via Tiberina in the Tiber Valley, among vineyards and olive groves. Its historic buildings are thus set within a clearly defined cultural landscape.

The Torre dell’Orologio is a 16th-century building, and its window frames feature floral and animal motifs. The tower also has a water clock. Its mechanism was powered by the fountain below, while a bell on the roof marked the hours. The tower also houses the Museo Civico, dedicated to the history of the Borgo from the fall of the Roman Empire to modern times. The architecture and museum thus highlight different periods.

At Palazzo De’ Monaci, an early medieval building phase in the old Borgo is documented, during which a Roman wall made of cut stone blocks was used as a defensive system. The palace’s Renaissance portal bears the date 1599. This date refers to the portal, not to the early medieval building phase.

Religious Art and Lucus Feroniae

The Chiesa di San Leone Magno preserves one of the very few early medieval iconostases to have survived intact in its original location. The church also contains numerous frescoes. Some fragments in the apse area date from around the year 1000.

The Archaeological Park of Lucus Feroniae is a testament to the ancient city of Capena, the capital of the Capenates. At its centre is a rectangular forum surrounded by public buildings, including the basilica and the Temple of Salus Frugifera. The amphitheatre could hold about 5,000 spectators and was used for public performances.

The Antiquarium of Lucus Feroniae displays a wide selection of archaeological finds dating from prehistory to the Archaic period. Together, the forum, public buildings, amphitheatre and collection offer different insights into the ancient city and its remains.

Festivals with Set Dates

The Incontro di Santa Maria takes place every year on the night leading up to 14 August and is among the region’s oldest surviving Christian celebrations. During the Incontro, the Incollatori carry images of the Madonna delle Grazie and S. Salvatore on their shoulders, preceded by a dangerous and spectacular run. Its date and proceedings make the festival a distinctive annual tradition in Capena.

The Vendemmiale Capenate is also an annual festival: it celebrates the grape harvest and takes place on the first Sunday of October each year. Highlights include a parade of floats decorated with wine-related themes. Young participants in traditional costumes offer grapes and wine to those attending. If you would like to plan your trip around one of the festivals, it is advisable to check the event dates in advance.

Landscape and Regional Cuisine

Below Capena lies the Nazzano Tevere-Farfa Nature Reserve, which offers many opportunities for different outings in the countryside. Traditional sweets from Capena include Pangiallo and Serpentone di Capena. These landscape and culinary highlights complement the historic focus with other regional aspects.

Discover more destinations: Torvaianica, Castel San Pietro Romano, Ponte Galeria, La Pisana, Campagnano Di Roma, Sacrofano, Santa Marinella, Borgo Santa Rita.

For the main travel overview: Rome.