Cittaducale, Italian comune
Cittaducale is a small hilltop town in the Province of Rieti surrounded by mountains and overlooking a river valley. It features straight streets, old church buildings with artworks spanning centuries, scattered remnants of town walls, and a calm setting that reflects its long past.
Founded in the 1300s, the town was named to honor nobility and served as a church-governed settlement. Control shifted across centuries between various noble families, the Farnese, and eventually the unified Italian kingdom, while the town endured earthquakes and recurring hardships that shaped its structures.
The name Cittaducale honors a noble duke and reflects its past role as a church-led settlement. The town reveals itself through its scattered churches, careful stonework, and traditional ways of living, where residents keep history alive through the care of old buildings and quiet streets.
The straight streets are easy to navigate on foot, making walking through town accessible and straightforward. Set aside time to visit the various churches and explore the marked walking routes that wind through the surrounding hills and valleys.
The town features an unusual tower with a round base on one side and a square base on the other, a rare architectural combination. The main square preserves the old town hall portico in its original style, showing the pattern from when the settlement was first established.
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