The Village of Castelmenardo – history and flavors

A small hamlet of the municipality of Borgorose, the village of Castelmenardo is one of the most appreciated natural, gastronomic, and historical attractions of Lazio.

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The territory and its history

Located at the foot of the Duchessa mountains, the village—whose name may derive either from the noble Berardi family or from a supporter of Charlemagne named Menardo—was one of the main fortified settlements of the Salto Valley in Roman times, one of the autonomous fiefs in the Middle Ages, and finally, after being at the center of post-unification brigandage, it was rebuilt during the 20th century and later associated first with Abruzzo and then with Lazio.

Panoramic view of the Village of Castelmenardo

Places of interest in the village

Despite its small size, the village features numerous archaeological and monumental sites, such as:

• The remains of the medieval village destroyed by the 1915 Marsica earthquake.
• The Church of Santa Croce, a place of worship first mentioned in an ecclesiastical document of the 14th century.
• The fortification known as Aia dei Saraceni, dating back to the 9th century.

View of the Church of Santa Croce in Lazio Church of Santa Croce, Castelmenardo, Lazio

Food traditions and typical products

Blending both Lazio and Abruzzo traditions, the gastronomy of the municipality of Borgorose offers a mix of genuine products that can be discovered through their production process thanks to the many local farms open to visitors. Among them we find:

• Pecorino cheese
• Wood-fired Potato Bread
• Coratella (traditional offal dish)
• Potatoes
• Cured meats
• Spelt
• Chianina beef
• Sheep meat
• Truffle
• Mushrooms

Among the most renowned recipes are:

• Pizza Sfogliata “Abbotata”
• Pizza con gli Sfrizzoli
• Caciata
• Murzitti
• Wine Doughnuts (Ciambelle al Vino)
• Caucioni
• Birra del Borgo (local craft beer)

Don’t miss the wonders of this village!