Rocca Santo Stefano is a medieval village born on a hill between the Ruffi and Affilani mountains and immersed in the lush Aniene Valley, the valley where the aqueduct system of ancient Rome begins. The village is immersed in the Antera forest full of chestnut trees and oaks crossed by paths for trekking lovers.
Its history begins with the proud people of the Equi, later conquered by the Romans, and over the centuries it merges with the history of the Abbey of Subiaco with which it initially did not have a privileged relationship. The monastery at that time behaved like a real feudal lord and conquered the nearby lands to incorporate them into its possessions.
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The foundation of the medieval village is probably due to a group of people who took refuge in a fortress to escape the harassment and abuses of Filippo da Marano and the lords of Civitella (now Bellegra).
The first evidence of the castle of Rocca Santo Stefano dates back to the 10th century in a document of the Abbey of Subiaco and initially the town was called Rocca d'Equi, then changed its name in honor of the Christian martyr. Saint Stephen, celebrated on December 26, was persecuted in the 5th-6th century and when his body was found in 415 by the prelate Luciano of Kefar-Gamla, he distributed the relics among several European churches, including that of Rocca Santo Stefano which is now located near the cemetery.
In 1096, Rocca Santo Stefano was acquired by Abbot Giovanni of the Abbey of Subiaco by exchanging the fief of Pisoniano, and therefore the castle entered the defensive system of the abbey.
In its history, several feudal lords have taken turns but, shortly after brief reigns, it has always returned under the control of the Abbey.
In the second half of the 12th century, Rocca Santo Stefano was given to the Ceci family, who governed the town despotically, giving rise to rebellions.
Around 1600, for a certain period, it belonged to the Colonna family and it is said that one of the tower's cannons was taken to the fortress of Paliano. After the Colonna family, Rocca Santo Stefano definitively returned to the possessions of the Abbey of Subiaco.
Meanwhile, the ancient chapel of the castle was enlarged and became the large church of Santa Maria Assunta - Our Lady of the Assumption. The church was also the village cemetery until the Napoleonic edict that prohibited burying the dead in churches.
Today, Rocca Santo Stefano has become the town of artists and hosts students in residence. Thanks to these collaborations, the town is dotted with works of art, large sculptures in travertine stone that recall the ancient professions of the past, such as that of the cooper.
Don't miss the famous Infiorata during the Corpus Domini procession and the gnoccacci ai fungo porcini festival. The mushrooms are collected in the chestnut and oak woods that surround the town.
The first evidence of the castle of Rocca Santo Stefano dates back to the 10th century in a document of the Abbey of Subiaco and initially the town was called Rocca d'Equi, then changed its name in honor of the Christian martyr. Saint Stephen, celebrated on December 26, was persecuted in the 5th-6th century and when his body was found in 415 by the prelate Luciano of Kefar-Gamla, he distributed the relics among several European churches, including that of Rocca Santo Stefano which is now located near the cemetery.
In 1096, Rocca Santo Stefano was acquired by Abbot Giovanni of the Abbey of Subiaco by exchanging the fief of Pisoniano, and therefore the castle entered the defensive system of the abbey.
In its history, several feudal lords have taken turns but, shortly after brief reigns, it has always returned under the control of the Abbey.
In the second half of the 12th century, Rocca Santo Stefano was given to the Ceci family, who governed the town despotically, giving rise to rebellions.
Around 1600, for a certain period, it belonged to the Colonna family and it is said that one of the tower's cannons was taken to the fortress of Paliano. After the Colonna family, Rocca Santo Stefano definitively returned to the possessions of the Abbey of Subiaco.
Meanwhile, the ancient chapel of the castle was enlarged and became the large church of Santa Maria Assunta - Our Lady of the Assumption. The church was also the village cemetery until the Napoleonic edict that prohibited burying the dead in churches.
Today, Rocca Santo Stefano has become the town of artists and hosts students in residence. Thanks to these collaborations, the town is dotted with works of art, large sculptures in travertine stone that recall the ancient professions of the past, such as that of the cooper.
Don't miss the famous Infiorata during the Corpus Domini procession and the gnoccacci ai fungo porcini festival. The mushrooms are collected in the chestnut and oak woods that surround the town.
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