Discover Otricoli

Otricoli brings together remains of the ancient city of Ocriculum, medieval architecture and natural attractions. If you are looking for a hotel in Otricoli, you can plan your trip around whether you want to focus on the archaeological sites, the churches and their art, or the landscape. Recurring events also celebrate the town’s history and culinary traditions.

Ocriculum and the Archaeological Collections

The Antiquarium Comunale di Otricoli is located in the Palazzo Priorale. Its archaeological collection provides an introduction to a visit to the Archaeological Park of Ocriculum. Among its notable pieces is the only cast of the colossal head known as the Jupiter of Otricoli. The park covers 36 hectares and provides the setting for the remains of the ancient Roman city.

East of the park, along the SS3 Flaminia, lies a pre-Roman necropolis dating from the 7th century BC. It adds an earlier chapter to the history of the area. Ocriculum AD 168 evokes the Roman past in the form of a three-day historical re-enactment held on the last weekend of May. Themed tours are accompanied by guides in historical costumes, who portray figures from the ancient city and tell their stories. The specific programme may vary from one edition to the next; check the dates for the relevant year before your trip.

Churches, Art and Medieval Traces

The Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta is an important example of 7th-century pre-Romanesque architecture. The church also houses archaeological materials recovered during excavations in the ancient city of Ocriculum. Its architecture and finds bring together different periods in the town’s history.

A rare 14th-century fresco from the Umbrian school was uncovered during restoration work at the Chiesa di San Salvatore. The church also preserves votive frescoes, including three depictions of the Madonna del Latte. The Rocca trecentesca, a 14th-century fortress, also survives in the historic centre of Otricoli.

The municipality also includes Castel di Poggio di Otricoli. The Castello del Poggio is first mentioned in a document from 1237. The Chiesa di San Nicola in Castel di Poggio dates from the late 15th or early 16th century. The Giornate medievali bring the colours, sounds and flavours of the Middle Ages back to life and are generally held on the third weekend of July. As event dates may change, it is worth checking the dates for the relevant edition before your trip.

The Tiber Landscape and Woodland Trails

The Tiber is the defining natural feature of Otricoli’s landscape. It runs along the western edge of the municipality, beside the site of the ancient Roman city of Ocriculum. For a nature-focused stay, there are also marked trails in woodland areas: Bosco Vallefredda has an equipped woodland trail about 850 metres long, with eight information panels about nature, flora and woodland life.

A network of marked trails runs through holm oak, pine and strawberry tree woods to the summit of Monte San Pancrazio, at an altitude of 1,027 metres. The Vallefredda woodland trail and the network of routes to the summit offer different points of reference: one focuses on information panels about nature and the forest, while the other follows a wooded route to a named summit. No specific walking time or difficulty level is given for these trails.

Events and Local Specialities

Vinotricolando is a three-day event usually held in August and dedicated to Otricoli’s culinary traditions. The month may vary from year to year. The event is associated with the fallone, a focaccia topped with oil, rosemary and coarse salt, baked at events such as Vinotricolando. If culinary traditions are an important part of your trip, these details add a distinct event focus to the historic sites and trails.

Ocriculum AD 168, the Giornate medievali and Vinotricolando each offer a different focus: Roman re-enactments, medieval experiences and culinary traditions. Plan around the theme that interests you most, and check the latest dates for the events you want to attend.

Discover more destinations: Dunarobba, Acqualoreto, Porano, Montecastrilli, Amelia, Pornello, Vasciano, Fabro Scalo

For the broader travel overview: Terni.