Valle del Salto
Marcetelli
Marcetelli is a tiny mountain village suspended at 930 metres, perched on a rocky spur between the Valle del Salto and the woodland of the Navegna and Cervia Nature Reserve. Stone houses, steep lanes and chestnut groves define one of Lazio’s smallest municipalities, overlooking a vast and rugged landscape.
Valle del Salto
Marcetellithe small village above the woodland
Marcetelli is a mountain village occupying very little space but opening onto an immense horizon. At 930 metres, its houses gather on a spur above the Valle del Salto among steep streets, pale stone and woodland reaching almost to the village.
Here, scale changes perspective: the settlement is among the smallest in Lazio, while chestnut groves, slopes and trails of the Navegna and Cervia Nature Reserve spread around it. Marcetelli works through this contrast: a few close houses, mountains all around and Lago del Salto as one of the territory’s strongest natural landmarks.
On this page you can
- Enter the stone centre and understand the surprising scale of one of Lazio’s smallest municipalities
- Discover its connection with woodland, chestnut groves and the landscapes of the Navegna and Cervia Nature Reserve
- Find your way among sights, local food, places to stay and stops to combine in the Valle del Salto
Micro-village
A few dozen residents and a compact centre: the village’s scale is part of the experience.
930 metres
The altitude changes the air, light and panorama, giving the village a fully mountain character.
Woodland and chestnut groves
The village is surrounded by a continuous green mass of chestnut trees, slopes and trails.
Valle del Salto
Marcetelli belongs to a mountain landscape connected with Lago del Salto and neighbouring villages.
What to see
Walkthrough Marcetelli
A micro-village of woodland, stone and silence
Marcetelli is one of Lazio’s smallest villages, yet it concentrates a powerful character within a few steps. Its historic centre gathers above the Ravi spur among stone houses, mountain views and a square overlooking the Valle del Salto. Old churches, traditional woodworking and monumental natural landmarks such as Quercia Bella extend the visit from the centre into the surrounding woodland.
- The historic centre on the Ravi, with its square, fountain and valley views
- The Church of San Venanzio Martire, the village’s main religious landmark
- Santa Maria in Villa, a small woodland church with old frescoes
- The Bottega del Cerchiaro and Quercia Bella, linking craftsmanship and monumental nature
In the village and nearby
Local producers
A useful, up-to-date selection, ordered by relevance, quality and proximity.
Olive oil mill
Monteflavio · 22,0 km
Olio di Stanlio
A test entry for a local olive oil mill.
History and identity
From the castrum of the Marerito the small Barberini village
Marcetelli is a very small mountain village with a clearly defined history. The settlement began to gather around the middle of the twelfth century, and the castle was probably built between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries in connection with the Mareri family, lords of an important part of medieval Cicolano.
In later centuries the village retained the compact character of a castrum suspended among woodland, stone and altitude. In 1655 the fief passed to Cardinal Francesco Barberini, the period from which the name Palazzo Barberini derives. The village continued to live around its square, octagonal fountain and Church of San Venanzio Martire, preserving the essential profile of a small highland community.
- Settlement · 12th century
- Mareri Castle · 12th–13th century
- Palazzo Barberini · 1655
In the village and nearby
Local services
A useful, up-to-date selection, ordered by relevance, quality and proximity.
Pharmacy
Featured Ascrea · 5,3 km
Test
This is a test entry for a local pharmacy.
Village events calendar
Events in Marcetelli
Events, festivals and local initiatives selected for Marcetelli.
Calendar being updated
No events published
New events will be added as soon as they become available.
Browse the full calendar→Mountain flavours
MarcetelliCiacamarini, chestnuts and porcini mushrooms
Marcetelli’s cooking grows from handcraft and landscape. Its most distinctive name is Ciacamarini.
Three closely related foods express Marcetelli’s identity particularly well: Ciacamarini, chestnuts and porcini mushrooms.
In Marcetelli, the landscape enters the kitchen: hands, chestnut trees and woodland become village flavours.
In the village and nearby
Where to eat
A useful, up-to-date selection, ordered by relevance, quality and proximity.
Restaurant
Monteflavio · 22,0 km
Pala del Palo
A test entry for a local restaurant.
Pizzeria
Castel di Tora · 6,8 km
Pizzeria Test 02
Pizza is always a delight, especially when it is made in the Neapolitan style.
The village in figures
Marcetellifigures for a mountain micro-village
Very few residents, more than nine hundred metres of altitude and a territory descending towards the Valle del Salto. Marcetelli’s figures describe a municipality tiny in human scale but surrounded by woodland, mountains and landscapes far larger than its small historic centre.
Elevation
on the Ravi spur
Residents
Lazio’s least-populated municipality
Area
between the Valle del Salto and mountain woodland
From Rieti
approximate road distance
In the village and nearby
Where to stay
A useful, up-to-date selection, ordered by relevance, quality and proximity.
Hotel
Monteflavio · 22,0 km
Hotel Villa Prova
A test hotel entry.
FAQs about Marcetelli
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 Marcetelli?
A visit begins in the historic centre and on the Ravi spur, with the square, fountain and stone houses overlooking the Valle del Salto. Main places include the Church of San Venanzio Martire, Santa Maria in Villa, the Bottega del Cerchiaro and Quercia Bella, one of the territory’s most recognisable natural landmarks.
Why is Marcetelli Lazio’s least-populated municipality?
Marcetelli is Lazio’s least-populated municipality, and this tiny scale is part of its identity. The historic centre can be crossed in a few minutes, while a far larger landscape of woodland, chestnut groves and Valle del Salto mountains opens around it.
Where is Marcetelli?
Marcetelli is in the province of Rieti, in Cicolano and the Valle del Salto. The village stands at about 930 metres on a rocky spur overlooking mountain scenery near the Navegna and Cervia Nature Reserve.
How do I reach and visit Marcetelli?
The most practical option is to drive to the village and explore its small historic centre on foot. To reach Santa Maria in Villa and Quercia Bella, continue beyond the settlement along local roads and routes through the mountain territory.
What are Ciacamarini?
Ciacamarini are Marcetelli’s most characteristic pasta. Made with flour, eggs, water and salt, the dough is left thick, cut into strips and rolled by hand. It can be served with a simple tomato sauce or with olive oil, cheese and black pepper.
What can I see around Marcetelli?
Nearby, combine Lago del Salto with villages such as Ascrea, Paganico Sabino, Collalto Sabino and Collegiove. Routes also lead into the Navegna and Cervia Nature Reserve through woodland and mountain panoramas.
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.
