Things to Do and See in Rieti

Rieti, the capital of the province of the same name and considered the heart of Italy, has a historic center that extends around Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, featuring the Fontana dei Delfini, the Town Hall, dating back to the 13th century and partially occupied by the Civic Museum, which houses archaeological finds dating from the 9th century B.C. to the late Roman era, as well as paintings from the 14th century to the present day. Not far away is Piazza Battisti, home to the Renaissance-style Prefecture Building; also on the same square stands the Cathedral, built around 1100, and the Bishop’s Palace, founded in the 13th century, home to the Diocesan Art Gallery, whose inner courtyard leads to the spectacular Papal Hall. The building ends to the north with the Arco del Vescovo, an overpass commissioned by Boniface VIII. Also worth noting is a tour of underground Rieti, which includes several noble residences in the city center and the remains of the ancient Roman viaduct. The province is indeed rich in history but above all in archaeology; there are numerous itineraries to explore, discovering the antiquities scattered throughout the Tiber Valley and the Turano Valley. Medieval sites in these areas include Macchiatimone in Pescorocchiano, with the ruins of its medieval castle; the fortress of Corvaro Castle in Borgorose; Collalto Castle; and the tower of Postmontem Castle in Fara in Sabina.