The Ciociaria of your ancestors: Boville Ernica, Castro dei Volsci and Ripi

Back to the roots: Experience the past in the village of your ancestors

Welcome to the village of your ancestors, where every stone tells a story and every narrow street hides ancient family memories. Here, you will not only be a tourist, but a member of the community, warmly welcomed by the local authorities and relatives who are waiting for you with joy.

You will explore the symbolic places of the town, from the ancient walls of the Church to the evocative silence of the Cemetery, up to the archives that jealously guard the historical documents of your family. You will be able to immerse yourself in your genealogy, discovering birth, baptism, marriage and death records, thus finding the roots of your history.

Special encounters will enrich your experience: you will hug the distant relative you knew nothing about and listen to anecdotes from old family friends, which will make you feel at home, even if you are miles away.

You will walk along the ancient alleys, breathing the atmosphere of the past, and you will get lost in the small squares illuminated by the lights of the sunset, letting yourself be enchanted by the slow passage of time.

You will participate in the daily life of the village, attending the religious service and strolling through the colorful markets, where you can taste local products and fully experience the traditions of the place.

The lunch organized by your relatives will be a unique opportunity to savor the typical local cuisine, a journey into the authentic flavors of your homeland.

At the end of your visit, you will receive the “TREASURE CHEST OF MEMORIES”, a precious wooden box containing photos and documents that will accompany you on your return journey, custodians of your family history.

You will experience an unforgettable day in the village of your ancestors, where everyone knows each other and every smile is a link with the past. And even if it’s your first time visiting, you’ll feel that the place has always been a part of you, giving you a feeling of nostalgia and familiarity.

Boville Ernica

Explore the enchanting village of Boville Ernica, a gem of Ciociaria enriched by a majestic wall with 18 towers, which hides a charming historic center made up of picturesque alleys, charming squares and charming streets. Through the ancient medieval gates of the city, you will immerse yourself in a past full of charm, with churches and palaces that hold authentic artistic treasures, including frescoes, paintings and mosaics.

The real jewel of Boville Ernica is revealed in the Church of San Pietro Ispano, where a mosaic of Giotto, known as “Giotto’s Angel”, has preserved its beauty for over seven centuries. This extraordinary masterpiece was created around 1300 to adorn St. Peter’s Basilica on the occasion of the jubilee. A precious gift made by Pope Clement VII, who decided to keep some relics of the ancient Basilica.

In the surroundings of Boville, among the rolling hills, an excellent extra virgin olive oil has been produced for centuries. You will have the opportunity to visit the historic oil mill, with the Oil and Olive Museum, where you can follow the entire olive route: from the walk through the olive groves to the pressing phases, up to the delicious oil tasting. Immerse yourself in a unique experience of history, art and authentic flavors in the heart of Boville Ernica.

Ripi

Ripi, a charming village in the hills of Ciociaria, is absolutely worth a visit. Its history has been marked by the epic of oil, which has known considerable success in the past. The exploitation of the deposits began in the early 1900s and reached its peak in 1938, with the presence of over 40 wells. This rIsorsa brought prosperity and well-being to the region, but the war caused the almost total closure of the fields, prompting workers to emigrate to Canada. Today, although there are few wells left, it is possible to explore the “Via del Petrolio”, an itinerary that tells the epic story of the little Texas of Ciociaria, and visit the Energy Museum set up in the old slaughterhouse-washhouse.

Next, you will immerse yourself in the local farming world by visiting a farm founded by an emigrant from Ripi, which has been producing wines from over 30 native grape varieties of the area for four generations. You will have the opportunity to participate in a tasting of typical products, accompanied by piano harmonies and folk songs. During the harvest periods, you can even take an active part in the grape harvest and fruit picking, living an immersive and authentic experience in the heart of Ripi.

Castro dei Volsci

Castro dei Volsci, known as “The Balcony of Ciociaria” for its extraordinary panorama, offers you a unique experience to discover. Your adventure begins at the evocative Clock Tower, which houses a permanent exhibition dedicated to Nino Manfredi, a native of Castro dei Volsci. This exhibition tells the private and professional life of the unforgettable actor through a collection of fascinating photos and documents.

Going up to the top of the historic center, you can admire the “Monument to Mamma Ciociara”. This moving sculpture was created in memory of the mothers and women of Ciociare who were victims of brutal violence by Moroccan soldiers of the French army during World War II. The episodes of violence, known as “le marocchinate”, were immortalized in Vittorio De Sica’s famous film, “La Ciociara”, which earned Sofia Loren the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Through this work of art, Castro dei Volsci pays homage to a painful page in its history and celebrates the strength of Ciociarian women.