Mentana between history and nature

Mentana brings together places of remembrance connected to Italian history, archaeological remains, trails in the nature reserve and a distinctive food culture. When planning your stay, you can treat historical themes and time outdoors as separate focal points: the MuGA focuses on the Risorgimento and the Battle of Mentana, while trails, gardens and collections offer other highlights. The local speciality ciammella a cancellu is another distinctive feature.

History and collections

The MuGA – Museo Garibaldino displays historical memorabilia, weapons, uniforms, letters and flags related to the Battle of Mentana on 3 November 1867. The museum was founded to preserve the memory of the Risorgimento and the memorabilia associated with it. It brings together the connection to a specific event and the broader historical context of the Risorgimento under one roof.

Palazzo Crescenzio was probably built in the 10th century over the remains of an older military fortress. Its present form dates from the 16th to the 17th century. Its origins and present form therefore belong to different periods. Mentana’s public library is also located in Palazzo Crescenzio, in the historic centre.

MuCaM offers a mapped route through Mentana’s historic centre, where visitors can see ancient marble fragments from Nomentum. Unlike a single collection, the cultural experience here takes the form of a route through the town centre.

The Museo delle Maschere Teatrali e dei Burattini is located in a room in Palazzo Borghese in Mentana. It houses hundreds of masks by master craftsman Giancarlo Santelli, including, in particular, leather masks made for major Greek and Roman theatre productions and Commedia dell’Arte performances. The museum also has its own puppet theatre.

Ancient remains and trails in the green

Significant archaeological remains of ancient Nomentum lie beneath Parco dei Cinque Pini. The Roman cistern “La Torretta”, dating from the 2nd century AD, has been preserved in the park. Here you can encounter two different kinds of ancient remains: a surviving cistern and the remains of ancient Nomentum beneath the park.

The Macchia di Gattaceca e Macchia del Barco Regional Nature Reserve extends across Mentana, Monterotondo and Sant’Angelo Romano. The blue CAI trail 438 starts at the reserve entrance on Via Basento in Mentana and follows white and red trail markers. It is 2.6 kilometres long, takes about 40 minutes and is rated moderate/easy. Trail 438 is one specific, measured option within a connected network: CAI trails 437, 438 and 439 can be used on foot and, with some difficulty, by bicycle.

Parco della Rimembranza includes a 3,000-square-metre garden with lawns and centuries-old pine trees. Together with the nature reserve, it offers two different kinds of green space: a described garden and an area with connected CAI trails.

A typical speciality from Mentana

The ciammella a cancellu, typical of Mentana, is a savoury aniseed ring made with flour and Sabina DOP extra virgin olive oil. Its ingredients and savoury form make it a distinctive local food alongside the historical collections and trails in the nature reserve. If you are looking for a hotel in Mentana, you can use your preferred focus for your stay—history, time outdoors or local cuisine—as a starting point for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Nettuno, Tor Vergata, Montelanico, Valmontone, Castel Madama, Lido Di Ostia, Anguillara Sabazia, Civitella San Paolo

For the broader travel overview: Rome.