Pisciarelli: Trails, Art and Church History

Pisciarelli brings together hiking, church art and cycling. The Sentiero CAI 262A–262 passes through the village and under the Archi di Boccalupo, the Chiesa di San Lorenzo is located in Piazza San Lorenzo, and mountain bike excursions include routes to Pisciarelli. When planning your trip, you can consider these topics separately: the trail route and shared use of the path, architectural and art history, and the dates and requirements for cycling tours.

Walking and mountain biking trails

The Sentiero CAI 262A–262 starts on Via di Pisciarelli, passes through the village and then runs under the Archi di Boccalupo. The Sentiero 262 connects Piazza Tittoni in Manziana with the village of Pisciarelli in Bracciano. This provides specific reference points for planning the route: a start on Via di Pisciarelli, a stretch through the village, and the connection between Manziana and Pisciarelli.

Mountain bikers also use the Sentiero 262. The park recommends taking particular care on descents, as the trail is also used by hikers and horseback riders. This recommendation applies to mountain biking; the path’s shared use is an important distinction from the idea of a route intended exclusively for bicycles.

The Chiesa di San Lorenzo and its art

The present-day Chiesa di San Lorenzo dates from the 18th century. Its single-nave interior has four semicircular side chapels. The apse contains a fresco by Vincenzo Strigelli, dating from 1745. It depicts the Assumption of Mary and Saints Lorenzo and Francesco. The church’s architectural form, its location in Piazza San Lorenzo and the dated fresco each provide a distinct art-historical point of interest.

The church’s earlier history goes back further: the original church in Pisciarelli was dedicated to Saint Peter and built around 1550 at the initiative of Paolo Giordano Orsini. In placing the dates in context, it is therefore important to distinguish the original church, built around 1550, from the present-day church, which dates from the 18th century.

Another work of art from the Chiesa di San Lorenzo is a high-quality 16th-century panel painting. It is attributed to Pedro Fernandez di Murcia and is now in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo di Bracciano. The art history therefore extends beyond the fresco in the church to a work whose current location is in Bracciano.

Archaeological and historical connections

The ruins of the ancient settlement “Ad Pisces” gave the area of Pisciarelli its name. The history of the water supply is another historical connection to the area: the original source, the caput aquae of Trajan’s Aqueduct, lies in the conduits of Fossa Renara. Fossa Renara is in the locality of Pisciarelli in Bracciano. Trajan built the aqueduct in 109 AD. The ruins, the source and the aqueduct highlight different aspects of ancient settlement and Roman water engineering.

Mountain bike excursions and dates

The “Gerico sul lago” mountain bike excursions include routes to Bosco di Santo Celso and Pisciarelli. They are scheduled from April to September on the first Saturday of each month. Participants must bring their own mountain bike; helmets are mandatory. Dates, itineraries and requirements may change. If you are planning one of these excursions, check the details before your trip.

The feast day of S. Lorenzo Martire in Pisciarelli falls on the first Sunday in August. The Festa di San Lorenzo was celebrated in Pisciarelli as a patronal festival in 2023 and 2024. If you would like to plan your trip around this occasion, check the dates for your travel year.

Typical Pizzette di San Lorenzo are considered a local culinary specialty.

Discover more destinations: Formello, Trevignano Romano, Fiano Romano, Gavignano, Maccarese, Monterotondo, Aranova, Santa Marta

For the broader travel overview: Rome.