Its treasures
Not to be missed – things to do and see in Fiuggi
The medieval town of Fiuggi was probably built around the year one thousand, a time when many cities fortified themselves on the highest hills in order to defend themselves from the barbarian invasions.
Nestled within the walls – today almost vanished – is a succession of narrow streets, small squares, steep stairs and houses built one above the other. The presence, over the centuries, of the most important Roman families left very interesting architectural remains, like the ancient palace manor houses of Grandi, Martini and Alessandri.
In the De Medici palace, once the seat of the old barracks of Anticoli, is the famous “pit of virgins”, where according to legend, girls were thrown, who refused to submit to a physical relationhip with their feudal lord.
Falconi palace also has a curious history
In his pointless wait for Napoleon, who was to stop here for a short stop, a painter spent the night decorating a room with a portrait of the leader, now called the Hall of Napoleon, while Napolean passed through Fiuggi , without even a shadow.
Walking through the city you can also see the mullioned windows of Via Vetere and the stone portals dominated by the coats of arms in via Maggiore.
It is worth a visit to the numerous churches of Fiuggi.
The Collegiate Church of St. Peter, on via Maggiore, preserves works of the Roman school of the 600’s. In the old town it is also worth visiting St Stephen’s of the fifteenth century.
In via Vecchia Fiuggi you will find the Church of Our Lady of Victory, built by feudal lord Marcantonio Colonna in memory of the Christian victory at Lepanto.
And, finally, there is the Church of St. Blaise, patron of Fiuggi. Built around 1100 and later rebuilt in the Baroque style, there is, among other items, a fresco from the thirteenth century and a basin holding holy water acquired from a Roman capital.
