Rieti Plain
Cantalice
Cantalice climbs the mountainside along a staircase of 350 stone steps. The Cassero Tower watches from above, the village preserves the story of Saint Felix and, below, the Rieti Plain opens towards Laghi Lungo and Ripasottile with Terminillo dominating the horizon.
Rieti Plain
Cantalicethe village of 350 steps
Cantalice is built vertically. A long stone staircase crosses the historic centre, branches between houses, fountains and small squares, and leads to the upper village, where the Cassero Tower recalls the old fortified system.
Yet the village is more than its climb. Cantalice is the birthplace of Saint Felix, the first saint of the Capuchin order, and overlooks the Rieti Plain. From the sanctuary by the spring associated with his miracle to Laghi Lungo and Ripasottile, stone, devotion and water create a unique story.
On this page you can
- Climb the 350 steps between the historic centre and the Cassero Tower
- Follow the places of Saint Felix, from the church to the spring of the miracle
- Find your way through lakes, local food, places to stay and routes across the Rieti Plain
350 steps
The stone staircase is the axis of the village and the most authentic way to understand its form.
Cassero Tower
The great medieval tower dominates the upper village and recalls the former castle.
Saint Felix
The saint born in Cantalice connects the historic centre with the spring of the miracle.
Lakes and plain
The nature reserve extends the visit towards reed beds, birdlife and waterscapes.
What to see
Climbthrough Cantalice
The village of 350 steps and Saint Felix
Cantalice develops vertically, clinging to the mountainside and opening over the Rieti Plain. The long stone staircase crosses the historic centre, its churches tell the story of Saint Felix and, beyond the village, springs and lakes lead into a waterscape at the foot of Terminillo.
- The 350-step staircase crossing the historic centre
- The Church of Saint Felix, the religious heart of the village
- Madonna della Pace and the Sanctuary of San Felice all’Acqua
- Laghi Lungo and Ripasottile in the broad plain below Terminillo
In the village and nearby
Local producers
A useful, up-to-date selection, ordered by relevance, quality and proximity.
History and identity
Fortis Cantalica Fidesbetween strongholds, wars and peace
Cantalice appears to have formed in the 12th century from the union of three settlements: Rocca di Sopra, Rocca della Valle and Rocca di Sotto. Six gates controlled the castle, built on a sensitive frontier between the Rieti Plain, the Kingdom of Naples and lands disputed with Rieti.
Alliances changed repeatedly and conflict marked the village for centuries. In the 15th century Cantalice fought alongside Cittaducale and the Aragonese; its loyalty inspired the motto Fortis Cantalica Fides. In 1571, under Margaret of Austria, a new period of peace began, still remembered by the Church of Madonna della Pace.
- Three strongholds · 12th century
- Fortis Cantalica Fides
- Peace · 1571
In the village and nearby
Local services
A useful, up-to-date selection, ordered by relevance, quality and proximity.
Village events calendar
Events in Cantalice
Events, festivals and local initiatives selected for Cantalice.
Calendar being updated
No events published
New events will be added as soon as they become available.
Browse the full calendar→Authentic flavours
Cantalicestrengozze, chickpeas and prosciutto
In Cantalice handmade pasta has a precise name: Strengozze Cantaliciane.
Alongside Strengozze Cantaliciane
In Cantalice, pasta made from water and flour has become a name, a festival and one of the village’s most recognisable flavours.
In the village and nearby
Where to eat
A useful, up-to-date selection, ordered by relevance, quality and proximity.
The village in figures
Cantalicethe scale of a village built uphill
The village grows along the mountainside and its territory descends to the Rieti Plain. Cantalice’s figures express this double geography: a vertical historic centre, an extensive municipality and a staircase that has become the measure of the visit itself.
Elevation
on the slopes of the Monti Reatini
Residents
as at 1 January 2026
Area
from the plain to the heights of Terminillo
Steps
along the village staircase
In the village and nearby
Where to stay
A useful, up-to-date selection, ordered by relevance, quality and proximity.
FAQ about Cantalice
Six practical answers for planning your visit, finding your way around the village and connecting the day with other places in Sabina.
What should I see in Cantalice?
Start with the historic centre and the 350-step staircase. Main stops include the Church of Saint Felix of Cantalice, Madonna della Pace, the Sanctuary of San Felice all’Acqua and the Laghi Lungo and Ripasottile Nature Reserve.
How many steps are there in Cantalice’s staircase?
The great staircase crossing the village has about 350 stone steps. It is the natural axis of the visit, rising between houses, fountains, small squares and lanes to the upper village dominated by the Cassero Tower.
Why is Cantalice associated with Saint Felix?
Cantalice is the birthplace of Saint Felix, the first saint of the Capuchin order. The church dedicated to him is one of the village’s most important sites, and his story continues beyond the historic centre to the sanctuary by the spring.
What is the Sanctuary of San Felice all’Acqua?
It is the sanctuary built by the spring associated with Saint Felix’s miracle. Tradition says the saint made water flow by striking the ground with his staff to give drink to the farm workers beside him. The site remains a pilgrimage destination.
Where are Laghi Lungo and Ripasottile?
The lakes lie in the centre of the Rieti Plain and form part of a nature reserve. Reed beds, wet woodland and many bird species make the area especially suitable for birdwatching and exploring the waterscape below Terminillo.
What are the traditional foods of Cantalice?
The most distinctive speciality is Strengozze Cantaliciane, handmade pasta made with water and flour. The food section also features sagne with chickpeas and Prosciutto Amatriciano IGP, a product of the wider Rieti area.
From this village a new itinerary begins
After the historic centre, connect your visit with another village, a local place to eat or a walking route and build a complete day in Sabina.
