Attractions and Places To See around Capranica Prenestina - Top 20

The "Oak of Pierluigi da Palestrina" is a monumental downy oak located in the Cannuccete Valley, in the Prenestini Mountains, not far from Palestrina. This centuries-old tree, over 20 meters tall and with a circumference of over six meters, is considered one of the oldest and most impressive trees in Lazio. It is estimated to be between 500 and 700 years old. According to local tradition, the famous musician Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina loved to go to the foot of this oak tree to find inspiration and moments of reflection. Legend has it that the composer meditated and perhaps composed some of his works in the shade of this tree, although these details are not confirmed by historical sources.

Between the towns of Colle Rampo and Polledrara, about 6 km from Paliano, there is this fortified farmhouse with a 13th-century square tower. The Sacco river valley has been the obligatory passage point between Lazio and Campania since the Roman period. The isolated towers, built inland at strategic points, formed a system of garrison and optical signaling between them. The de' Piscoli tower was the lookout outpost of the Prenestina and Latina roads. In the Middle Ages it was the obligatory passage to enter the Palianese territory, given that the road that led to Paliano passed over the Ponte della Mola, where there was a sentry who made people pay the crossing fee, called pontatico. Source FAI - I luoghi del cuore.

The Amato bridge is located just outside the center of Gallicano nel Lazio, it is a Roman bridge that allowed the old Via Prenestina to cross the valley of the Fosso Scalelle and reach the city of Palestrina. The bridge has a single round arch, now unfortunately only a section remains as the northern part collapsed during the Second World War.

Take a peek at the Pierluigi Oak, a magnificent tree that is about 500 years old. The tale behind this tree is about Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, a composer from the late 1500s. He enjoyed coming here to contemplate and find inspiration beneath it's shade.

tower that seems to come out of nowhere :)

A beautiful passage near Paliano, to reach this fortified farmhouse with a 13th century square tower.

Here begins the archaeological park "Ponte Amato and Via Prenestina antica", a stretch of the ancient Via Prenestina to continue along the path of the aqueducts that supplied Rome with water.

from the web: "Ponte Amato, located near the Tagliata di Santa Maria di Cavanonte, is an isolated Roman bridge in the countryside near Gallicano nel Lazio. This ancient bridge allowed the ancient Via Prenestina to cross the valley of the Scalelle ditch, heading towards the city of Praeneste (Palestrina). Its exact dating is not certain, but the similarities with the Nona bridge (at the 9th mile of the Via Prenestina) suggest that it may date back to the second half of the 2nd century BC or the beginning of the 1st century BC. . The name “Ponte Amato” derives from Count Amato of Segni, who fortified it in the 10th century and took care of its restoration after a period of abandonment. After being neglected again for several centuries, the bridge was the subject of an excellent restoration in 2001 by the Archaeological Superintendency for Lazio, which returned it to its magnificent beauty. The arch of the bridge is characterized by a single rounded structure, and although the northern part collapsed during the fighting of the Second World War, the bridge still retains some of its original splendor. The dimensions of the Amato Bridge are impressive: it is made up of 17 rows of ashlar blocks in the shape of parallelepipeds of "lapis gabinus" (the famous gabine stone). The maximum height measured from the ditch surface is 10 metres. On the roadway, which reaches a width of 5.65 metres, the paving of the ancient Roman road is still visible. This site, belonging to the municipality of Gallicano nel Lazio, is part of an itinerary of great archaeological, landscape and wildlife interest. The surrounding area is crossed by four of Rome's public aqueducts: the Anius Vetus, the Aqua Marcia, the Aqua Claudia and the Anius Novus. A fascinating place to explore, immersed in a suggestive natural environment."