Cottanello meadows: a unique landscape
It is as if you come upon an enchanted valley: this peaceful paradise of vast meadows surrounded by oak, beech and maple forests are a gift of nature to the Sabina
 Prati di Cottanello |
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 Casoni di Cottanello |
 Prati di Cottanello |
 Borgo di Cottanello |
The Cottanello area (over 2,400 hectares) is covered by woodland and mountain pastures where the flora and the fauna are virtually untouched and nature is uncontaminated. Prata to the north of Cotanello and Fonte Cerro to the east are areas of particular beauty from a naturalistic point of view. Both plateaus extend from 800 to 1,200 metres on the border between the regions of Lazio and Umbria. As you climb along the ridge admire the breathtaking views overlooking the Rieti area, the Valle Santa, and further down to the Franciscan sanctuary of Greccio.
On leaving the village walk to the “prata di sotto” (lower plateau) at 900m to the picturesque abandoned hamlet which is used today as a shelter for cattle. Then continue on to the "prata Supra” (upper plateau) at 1100m which is a great place to stop for a picnic (there are areas with tables and stone braziers) and for walks or nature tours. The landscape is characterised by a variety of glades surrounded by monumental oak, maple and beech forests. In the Fondo di FAggio B area note the 'written' Beech and Beech 'with water' along the trail to Monte Grande. Throughout the year Cottanello meadows offer eye-catching and unique landscapes.
The hermitage of San Cataldo
The Hermitage of San Cataldo is hollowed out of a huge granite rock and can be dated back to before the 10th century. It was built by Benedictine monks who used it as a refuge and place of hermitage.
Roman Villa
Towards the end of the second century AD there was widespread building of villas all over the Empire. many were built in the Sabina, one of which can be found in Cottanello. This villa contains numerous mosaics still intact and to this day it is still impossible to determine how large it actually was..
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The Marble quarry
The red marble quarry known as "Persichina Stone" or "Cottanello Marble" is about 4 km from the village in a green glade. The use of the Cottanello marble in Rome was documented for the first time in 1648 in the construction St. Peter’s Cathedral (the most well known construction site in Rome), built with the help of artists like Bramante, Michelangelo and Bernini.
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Guided tours: Monica 338 1952548
Useful websites: www.comunecottanello.it