Montelibretti: Eretum, Lipizzaners and Routes

Montelibretti brings together archaeological remains, church art and routes. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay here, you can plan around the topics that interest you most: the early history of Eretum, Lipizzaner breeding, architectural and art history, or walks and cycling tours. The sights offer different points of interest, helping you decide what you would like to explore in greater depth during your trip.

Archaeology around Eretum

The Colle del Forno necropolis is the outermost part of the burial ground of the ancient city of Eretum, near Casa Cotta in the municipality of Montelibretti. The earliest settlements there date back to the 7th century BC. The burial ground comprised 40 underground chamber tombs and one shaft burial. A tomb in the necropolis, dated to 600–590 BC, contained a princely burial with a breastplate made of gold sheet, two swords, a ceremonial two-wheeled chariot and a cart. The number and types of tombs describe the site, while the grave goods bring the furnishings of a single burial into focus. Colle del Forno therefore offers a specific point of interest for anyone interested in the area’s early history.

Lipizzaner breeding and cultural heritage

ASCAL, run by the CREA Research Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture in Montelibretti, is the state Lipizzaner breeding establishment. A ministerial decree dated 9 September 2004 recognised ASCAL as a conservation centre for the Lipizzaner breed. The tradition of Lipizzaner breeding was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022. The two recognitions relate to different aspects: ASCAL as a conservation centre, and the breeding tradition as intangible cultural heritage. In Montelibretti, you can therefore encounter both a specific institution and a subject of international cultural significance.

Churches, art and architectural history

The Church of Madonna del Passo, also known as Madonna del Viandante, dates approximately to the 14th century and contains a valuable fresco of the Madonna del Passo. The Church of San Nicola di Bari was built by the Orsini family in 1535 and houses four paintings. Three date from the 17th century, including a Madonna and Child and depictions of Saints Dominic and Catherine, attributed to the school of the Carracci brothers. The first chapel dedicated to Madonna del Carmine dates approximately to the second half of the 18th century.

Palazzo Barberini also offers a window into the history of the town. Its origins date to the 17th century; it was built on the remains of an old Orsini castle. In 1644, the Barberini family acquired the Orsini fiefdom. Under Taddeo Barberini, the castle was transformed into a baronial palace. The churches and palace offer different historical reference points: from the approximately medieval Madonna del Passo, through the 16th and 17th centuries, to the later chapel of Madonna del Carmine.

Sulphur spring and outdoor routes

The “Simone Agostini” Sulphur Oasis, locally known as Acqua Solfa, is a sulphurous thermal spring in Montelibretti; its history goes back to Roman times. It can be viewed from outside, where Roman underground remains and an active sulphur spring can be seen. Unlike the churches and historic buildings, this stop combines visible Roman remains with a spring.

Parco dei Cavalli Bianchi is a public park on the Tenuta di Montelibretti estate, with four combined cycling and walking trails. The trails are flat and suitable for walking and cycling. The Percorso dei Cavalli Bianchi is 5.7 kilometres long. The Cammino di San Francesco also passes through Montelibretti in Lazio. Its fifth stage, from Ponticelli di Scandriglia to Monterotondo, is 29.4 kilometres long; Palazzo Barberini in Montelibretti is listed as a sight on this stage. For your planning, this means you can compare a specifically named, much shorter route with a longer stage of the pilgrimage route, along with their respective distances. Check the latest route information before setting out.

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