The term Valle del Liri is commonly used to indicate a large area of southern Lazio whose municipalities share the fact of being crossed or bordered by the river Liri. The territory formerly inhabited by the Volsci, was conquered by the Romans in 300 BC and the followed its destiny until the fall of the empire.

The area includes 19 small villages with immense history and extraordinary cultural, environmental and archaeological heritage. Walking across these countries means having the impression of reliving history, especially that of the Second World War, which passed here in a disruptive way.

Land of illustrious sons, like Cicerone and Caio Mario, Giovenale, Umberto and Marcello Mastroianni, Vittorio De Sica, who found inspiration here for their internationally successful works. Among the villages that animate the Valley we mention some of particular historical and cultural importance: Arce, Roccasecca, Sora, Pontecorvo, Isola Liri.

Arce today is a small village with a typical medieval structure. The historic center is characterized by steep and narrow streets. The village appears lying on the side of a hill and is dominated by the Rocca d’Arce, in a beautiful panoramic position over the Liri Valley. Noteworthy is the Fregellae archaeological park, which is slowly coming to light thanks to university excavations. In this area, in fact, there was a Latin colony founded by the Romans dating back to 328 BC

Roccasecca is a place of considerable importance from a historical point of view, just think that the country represents the fifteenth stage of the Way of St. Benedict and the eighth stage of the “Via Francigena del Sud”. Famous for the figure of St. Thomas Aquinas, the fortified citadel overlooking the town, officially called Castello dei Conti d’Aquino, it represents one of the most important and significant historical-archaeological areas of the Lazio during the Middle Ages. Particularly noteworthy is the landscape value of the country, thanks to the “Gole del Melfa” and the “Tracciolino”, a canyon with an uncontaminated environment that attracts lovers of trekking, cycling, rafting, and where its cliffs make it a place sought after by freeclimbers.

Sora, the birthplace of director Vittorio De Sica, is a town on the border between Lazio and Abruzzo. Among the major tourist attractions of the country we certainly find the rupestrian sanctuary of the Silvano God, the fortress that dominates the city and the medieval castle. Worthy of visit is the Abbey of San Domenico which binds us to another illustrious son of Ciociaria. According to literary tradition, in fact, the Abbey rises above the ruins of the paternal villa of Marco Tullio Cicerone.

Pontecorvo owes its name to the “pons curvus” on the river Liri, but perhaps also to the Benedictine symbol of the crow, in the period of subjection to Montecassino. The town is renowned in the lower Lazio region for the food and wine production of the famous pepper D.O.P. of Pontecorvo, of S.Oliva beans, of grapes, as well as for historical cultivation of “dark tobacco”. Also important are the artisan workings of terracotta objects and in particular of the “cannate” cooked in the sun, a technique almost unique in Italy. A modern town that has not, however, lost its connection with historical as well as religious traditions. The celebrations dedicated to the patron Saint John the Baptist are famous. Pontecorvo is also known regionally to host one of the largest carnival fashion shows in Central Italy.

Isola del Liri, famous for the waterfall that is located in the historic center, owes its name to the fact that it develops on an island formed by the river Liri. The historic center itself would be worth a visit. There is to be fascinated by the two Cascate del Valcatoio and the Grande Cascata which open up to the majestic Boncompagni-Viscogliosi castle.