The village of Otricoli is waiting to be discovered: enclosed within its walls lies a world of history and art. Let yourself be surprised by its cultural landscape, shaped over the centuries by the deep interaction between humans and nature, its millennia‑long history, the woodlands and waters of its territory, and the beauty of its archaeological sites.

A strategic position, between waterways and roads

Otricoli lies on the border between Umbria and the Sabina region, not far from Narni and Calvi dell’Umbria. The present‐day village sits atop the hill overlooking the archaeological area, on the same spot once occupied by pre‑Roman populations from both the Apennines and the Adriatic area. Otricoli stands dominantly over a long stretch of the Tiber valley, which makes it a natural stronghold – possibly the origin of its name (derived from the Greek okris, “hill”, or the Etruscan ukar, “height” or “rock”).

The town’s fortunes stemmed from this crossroads position, located along two major ancient communication routes: the Tiber river and the Via Flaminia. It became home to a thriving river port, considered by scholars to be the second most important on the Tiber, and famously known as the “oil port” for its most prized commodity.

The millennia‑long history of the ancient Ocriculum

The earliest finds date back to the Iron Age. The ancient Umbrian‑Sabine centre, attested by necropolises and archaeological finds, once stood on the same site as the medieval castrum and was defended by walls of large tufa blocks, discovered beneath medieval ramparts. In Roman times it grew in importance, especially after the Battle of Mevania (Bevagna) in 308 BCE, when it sided with Rome. In 91–90 BCE, it joined other Italic centres in a revolt against Rome demanding citizenship rights, which likely led to its destruction.

It was subsequently rebuilt lower down, near the Tiber and the Via Flaminia (an extensive paved stretch bearing cart ruts and funerary monuments is still visible in the Archaeological Park). Its prosperity was fuelled by trade, especially in olive oil and ceramics (notably roof tiles and decorative embossed cups known as “Popilio ware”).

The town was so significant that Emperor Augustus granted it municipium status. Evidence of its wealth includes ruins of majestic structures still visible today: an amphitheatre, a theatre, large and small buildings, and public structures like a basilica, baths, nymphaeum, plus funerary monuments along the Flaminia built by elite families. The historian Tacitus in his Historiae mentions Emperor Vespasian stopping in Otricoli to celebrate the Saturnalia.

According to tradition, it was one of the first towns in the region to be evangelised, giving rise to early churches and martyrs—Victor, Corona, and Medico—whose relics are preserved in the church of San Vittore, founded around 540, later joined by a Benedictine monastery.

The town was destroyed between 569 and 605 CE during the Lombard invasions and later rebuilt on the original hilltop site. From then on, Otricoli’s history followed that of the region: it became a free commune, clashing with neighbouring towns like Narni before falling under Papal rule, which lasted until Italian unification.

From the 18th century onward, significant archaeological excavations revealed many of the monumental buildings and important artefacts now admired, including mosaics and sculptures, and a colossal 60 cm‑high head of Jupiter, now at the Vatican Museums.

Medieval walls enclosing so many wonders

Today, Otricoli retains the layout of a hilltop fortified village. Its urban plan is structured along the natural spine of the hill, with the main square situated at its highest point. The early medieval walls still encircle the entire village and include Porta Maior and Porta San Severino, along with defence towers (two square, three round) and the ruins of a 14th-century fortress.

Inside the walls are buildings and monuments from various periods: medieval structures, grand Renaissance palaces, and tufa houses. Of special interest is the Squarti‑Perla house, whose elaborate portal incorporates fragments from different historical periods. The most distinctive feature of the old castle area is the presence of two Viterbo-style “profferlos”—stone staircases leading to a small covered loggia over the main entrance.

In the upper part of the village lies the Collegiata of Santa Maria Assunta, an important 7th‑century pre‑Romanesque church, altered over the centuries. Inside are fragments of ancient architecture, numerous altarpieces from various eras, and finds unearthed during 20th‑century excavations, both local and from Ocriculum.

The Palazzo Priorale houses the Municipal Antiquarium, preserving significant Roman‑era finds from ancient Otricoli, including a plaster cast of the monumental 58 cm‑high head of Jupiter now at the Vatican museums. Through rich visual material, the Antiquarium illustrates the town’s multiple historical phases.

Also notable is the church of Santissimo Salvatore, with a rectangular plan and a bell-gable. Its plain façade conceals a treasure trove of medieval frescoes from the 12th to the 15th century—some refined, others humble ex‑votos, simple yet evocative.

Also worth visiting is the 1761 Oratory of San Giuseppe da Leonessa, a fine example of 18th‑century art, featuring stucco decorations, paintings of the saint’s life and miracles, a ceiling fresco, and a fine wooden statue on the main altar.

The Archaeological Park of Ocriculum

The artistic and historical highlight of the area is the archaeological area of Ocriculum, located downstream in a green bend of the Tiber. A scenic walking path leads visitors through the remains of the Forum, theatre, baths, nymphaeum, a stretch of the ancient Via Flaminia, important funerary monuments, the Amphitheatre, and the earliest necropolis (dating to the 7th century BCE).

Located within the park is the “Casale di San Fulgenzio” Antiquarium, housing a prestigious collection of archaeological finds unearthed between 1960 and 2005.

And there’s more!

Walks along the river…
 Exploring the archaeological area along the Tiber, you can enjoy numerous bike and foot trails along dirt paths and riverside nature reserves, either heading south toward the upper Sabina or northward.

…or up through the Vallefredda forest and Monte San Pancrazio
 Near Otricoli lies the pristine Vallefredda forest (~8 ha), ideal for walking or biking along trails, with equipped picnic spots.

Nearby is Monte San Pancrazio (1 027 m, featuring ancient Retic rock ground beneath the surrounding mesozoic limestone, rich in marine fossils like gastropods and brachiopods), which offers marked hiking and cycling routes leading to its summit. Near its summit, at 387 m, stands the lovely medieval Castello di Poggio, still intact and home to a beautiful 15th‑century church dedicated to Saint Nicholas.

Events in Otricoli

 In the Umbrian village of Otricoli, the ancient past comes to life during the historical re-enactment A.D. 168. Set in the Archaeological Park on the last weekend of May, this event takes visitors back in time to the 2nd century AD, the age of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The year 168 marks the martyrdom of Victor, a young citizen of Otricoli who died in Damascus and is commemorated during the festival. From the sacred to the secular: more than 300 re-enactors in period costume recreate scenes of daily life in a Roman town.

Another journey through time awaits during the Medieval Days, usually celebrated on the third weekend of July. For the occasion, the village comes alive with the colours, sounds, and flavours of the Middle Ages.

A true tribute to local flavours is Vinotricolando, a three-day celebration dedicated to the food and wine traditions of Otricoli. Visitors can enjoy tastings, music, dancing, performances, and street artists. This joyful festival of art and flavour is typically held in August.