Roccantica

Roccantica is a municipality with 585 inhabitants (as at 31 December 2012) in the province of Rieti in the Italian region of Lazio.

Geography

Roccantica is located 68 km north of Rome and 35 km southwest of Rieti. It is located in the High Sabina, Rieti and the hill country between the valley of the Tiber. The village lies on the slope of Monte Pizzuto, which forms the highest point of the municipality with 1,288 m slm. The lowest point is 98 m s.l.m.

The municipality is located in the seismic zone 2 (medium endangered).

Roccantica is a member of the Comunità Montana Sabina IV Zona.

The nearby towns are Cantalupo in Sabina, Casperia, Monte San Giovanni in Sabina, Poggio Catino, Rieti and Salisano.

Traffic

The nearest motorway exit is Ponzano Soratte on the A1 Autostrada del Sole 18 km. The nearest railway station is located in Poggio Mirteto at the regional railway line FR1, 11 km away.

History

Roccantica was first mentioned in 792 as fundus Antiquum in a document of the Abbey of Farfa, in whose possession it was at 840. 1060 defended the Roccolani Pope Nicholas II who had holed up in the castle, successfully against the Crescentii. From 1477 to 1728, the village belonged to the noble family Odescalchi. After that, it was subordinate directly to the Holy See. In 1860 it became part of the Kingdom of Italy. Since 1927 it belongs to the province of Rieti.

Demographics

Source: ISTAT

Policy

Riccardo Bianchini ( civil list) was elected in June 2009 for the mayor. He replaced Loretta Sabatini, who did not run.

Attractions

The ruins of the Torre Nicolò II, part of the former castle, reminiscent of the Pope, who sought shelter here.