Discover Forano: Castle, Churches and Regional Cuisine

Forano brings together medieval history, church art and regional traditions with walks in nature. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider whether you would like your stay to focus more on historical landmarks, culinary events or time outdoors.

Castle, Palazzo and Church Art

The medieval castle of Forano dates from the 10th to 11th century and stands on the ruins of a pre-existing Roman villa. Castello di Forano is also known as Palazzo Ducale; the palazzo preserves halls and frescoes from the 16th century. Behind Palazzo Ducale lies the area of Forano Vecchia, where some of the town’s most interesting historical details can be found. Together, these sites tell the story of several periods: from the Roman villa to the medieval castle and the preserved rooms and frescoes.

The church of Chiesa della S.S. Trinità e di Maria Assunta is under the protection of the Soprintendenza for the Environmental and Architectural Heritage of Lazio. Its altar holds a painting that Luigi Strozzi commissioned from Girolamo Troppa for the inauguration of the parish church. It depicts the coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary after her assumption into Heaven, as well as Saints Jerome and Anthony. At the same time, the work preserves the only surviving depiction of what Forano is said to have looked like at the end of the 17th century. The church of San Sebastiano was built in 1627; the Waldensian Evangelical Church in Forano was founded in 1894.

Memorials and Nature

The Monumento ai caduti commemorates those who fell in the First and Second World Wars and has a travertine façade. The First World War memorial plaque depicts a female figure in ancient dress: she wears a mural crown and is accompanied by a winged figure of Victory and a laurel branch. This design gives the memorial its own visual language alongside the religious imagery of the churches.

Nature is also part of what Forano offers visitors: it invites you to go for walks, and swimming is possible in the cool waters of the streams. Historical discoveries and time outdoors are therefore distinct options. When looking for a holiday apartment in Forano, you can consider which of these interests you would most like to make room for, without limiting your stay to just one kind of outing.

Regional Cuisine and Events in August

A local speciality is fallone: a savoury, crescent-shaped filled dough made from bread dough, similar to a closed flatbread and filled with vegetables sautéed in a pan. The Sagra della Pastasciutta is one of Forano’s recurring events and takes place on 14 August. Olio Extravergine di Oliva Sabina DOP is also part of the area’s culinary heritage: Forano, like the rest of the Sabina area, is associated with its production, which is attributed to the Sabina region.

In Gavignano, a hamlet in the municipality of Forano, the Sagra dei Maccaruni alla Gavignanese is dedicated to tasting very thin macaroni, cut entirely by hand. The event lasts three days and takes place in early August. This distinguishes two different culinary events in August: the Gavignanese festival at the beginning of the month and the Sagra della Pastasciutta in Forano on 14 August. If you would like to plan your trip around one of the festivals, check the dates for the year in question.

Gavignano and Getting There

Gavignano offers further historical points of interest within the municipality: the castle’s northern gate is located there, and the Museo della Civiltà Contadina is housed in Palazzo Baronale. Fonte Meo, also known as Gabinia, is located near Gavignano. The remains of a basin for collecting water from an ancient Roman complex are visible there. These destinations add places in the municipality of Forano to the picture, without conflating them with the sights in the town centre.

If you are travelling by public transport, it is important to check the latest information. A notice from the municipality dated 7 July 2026 and updated on 18 July reported the suspension of Cotral services between the populated centres of Forano and Gavignano Sabino station. Check the current service status before travelling. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can also weigh up whether you would like to include mainly the history of Forano, walks and swimming, or culinary events in Forano and Gavignano in your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Poggio Mirteto, Montasola, Montebuono, Cantalice, San Giovanni Reatino, Roccaranieri, Castel San Pietro, Limiti Di Greccio.

To the regional travel overview: Rieti.