Antrodoco, Italian comune
Antrodoco is a small commune located at about 1,600 feet (500 meters) in the mountains of the Rieti province with narrow streets and old stone buildings. It sits at the edge of the Velino Gorges, a deep ravine with rushing water that is considered one of the most unspoiled narrow passages in the Apennines.
The settlement served as a mail station in ancient times, noted by the geographer Strabo in the first century before Christ. During the Middle Ages it endured a siege under Emperor Frederick II in 1231, and centuries later the townspeople fought against French forces in the 1800s.
The town takes pride in its local chestnut variety known as marroni, which shapes traditional cooking and seasonal celebrations. Walking through the narrow streets and seeing these products sold and used in local recipes gives you a sense of how food connects people to their land and past.
The town sits along the ancient Via Salaria and Via Sabina, two important old trade routes, making it easy to reach by road. The surrounding mountain trails work well for walking and hiking, especially around the Velino Gorges and the natural hot springs nearby.
On the mountainside above town, pine trees are arranged to spell the word 'DUCE', a symbol from Italy's past that is visible from the valley below. This surprising hill marking remains a stark reminder of a different historical era.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
