Foglia: the small village overlooking the Tiber

In the heart of the Sabina region, perched on a tuff plateau dominating the Tiber Valley, lies Foglia, the only hamlet of Magliano Sabina and one of The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy.

In the 17th century, it was believed that the name Foglia derived from Fauna, wife of the Roman god Faunus; others instead link it to the Faliscan city of Troilo, mentioned on a local ceramic piece with the inscription “Troiloi.” The Umbro-Sabines and the Falisci were the first inhabitants of the area, exploiting the Tiber for trade, especially in wine and oil—resources still central today. The Faliscan necropolis of Troilo, discovered at Civita Vecchia, contained tombs carved into tuff later reused as cellars, similar to those of Falerii. From the 5th to the 11th century, the territory was under the Abbey of Farfa. The Castle of Foglia is first mentioned in the 10th century; it passed to the Church in 1198, was destroyed in 1241, and later rebuilt. Napoleone Orsini donated it to his brother Giovanni, the future Pope Nicholas III. After various noble transfers, since 1858 Foglia has been a hamlet of Magliano Sabina.

What to see in Foglia

The village of Foglia develops around Piazza Castello, from which the main streets branch out. Passing through the entrance arch, one walks along Via di Mezzo, a road that descends and then rises again to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, part of the 17th-century Palazzo Orsini. To the right of the square opens Via Tevere, which separates Palazzo Valignani-Orsini from the houses and leads to a panoramic viewpoint over the Tiber Valley. From here, one can admire the river with its meanders and cultivated fields, the Rome–Florence railway, the Autostrada del Sole, and the Port of Sant’Agata, already active in Roman times. On the horizon stands Monte Soratte, a sacred place for the Sabines, Etruscans, and Romans, while in the distance appear the Sabatini and Cimini mountains.

The atmosphere is suspended in time: walls, arches, and drawbridges still preserve the ancient soul of the village, where, according to legend, Fauna, wife of the god Faunus, wanders in the sacred woods populated by fauns and nymphs. With the advent of Christianity, devotion shifted to Saint Serena, now the patron saint of the village, whose relics are preserved in the Church of Santa Maria Assunta.

What to see around the village

Foglia is an excellent starting point for exploring the surroundings of Magliano Sabina, one of the oldest towns in Lazio, rich in religious and civic monuments. Just a few kilometers away are the Civic Archaeological Museum of Magliano, the ancient Abbey of Farfa, the archaeological site of Ocriculum in Umbria, and the imposing Monte Soratte, a destination for panoramic hikes and visits to World War II bunkers.

In the woods of Foglia, which extend for over 40 hectares, visitors can enjoy trekking, birdwatching, and nature photography.

Cover photo credits: Ragemax