Historic Centre of Greccio
Greccio is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and picturesque sites in the Rieti valley.
The ancient medieval village is located 18 km away from Rieti, perched on the slopes of Mount Lacerone, 705 metres above sea level. Its charm and appeal is well preserved and echoes the atmosphere of times gone by. The ancient medieval village still maintains its original structure: a fortified "castrum" dating back to the eleventh century whose main focus, the Castle, can still be seen. The Church of San Michele Arcangelo, restored after 1799 and decorated with sixteenth-century artwork is located at the top of the hill. The Bell Tower, built in the 1600s out of the debris of one of the two remaining towers, out of the six which oversaw the ancient medieval surrounding walls, can be found 50 metres away. The Church of Santa Maria del Giglio, rich in decorations and precious stuccoes stands out on the main square at the foot of the village. The village gradually developed over the centuries, as shown by the different architectural structures.
Greccio remains unrivalled in its ability to amaze, excite and capture visitors' hearts. The elements that stand out in the territory include the beauty of the landscape, botanical varieties (holm oaks, woods and underbrush) and hydrological resources (mountain water springs). Another extraordinary feature of the territory is the 20 kilometre network of paths winding into unspoilt nature. One of the paths leads to the "Cappelletta" shelter, 1,200 metres above sea level, where Saint Francis of Assisi settled when he first arrived in Greccio in 1209, and to "Fonte Lupetta", a spring of therapeutic mineral water which serves as a park for picnics and scout camps.
The most interesting socio-cultural elements in the medieval village are the Artists' path and the Nativity Scenes Museum