The Marcigliana nature reserve is a protected area between the municipalities of Rome, Fonte Nuova, Guidonia, Mentana and Monterotondo, lying between the Via Salaria and the Via Nomentana and crossed by via della Marcigliana and via della Cesarina. It covers more than four thousand hectares of rural landscape: cultivated fields, wooded banks and rows of trees along the farm roads.
What to see
The reserve brings together many old estates, from Torre Madonna to Fonte di Papa, from Santa Colomba to Capobianco and Coazzo, whose farmhouse can be seen at the junction of via della Cesarina and the Nomentana. Along the northern stretch of via di Tor San Giovanni stands the farmhouse of that name, a medieval building with a tower. Roman remains are scattered across the whole area.
Along via della Marcigliana a state-owned plot corresponds to the main burial ground, known as Monte Del Bufalo, of the Latin city of Crustumerium, which flourished between the ninth and fifth centuries BC; the ancient settlement and its surroundings, about 500 hectares, are under strict archaeological protection.
Visiting
Much of the reserve is private property, which is why many ancient remains cannot be visited. The sector of the old Capitignano estate, however, belongs to the City of Rome and houses the Casa del Parco. Information and routes are on the RomaNatura website.
Our editors' tip
The name Tor San Giovanni comes from a hospital: the Capitignano estate was so called when it became the property of the Hospital of San Giovanni.
