Selci

Selci

Population: 1108 al 31/01/2022

Altitude: (s.l.m.) 204 m.

Distance from Rome: 65 km.

Distance from Rieti: 42.3 km.

Selci is a charming village in Lazio, located in the province of Rieti, in the center of the beautiful area of Bassa Sabina. This picturesque town stands among the fascinating hills of the Sabine Mountains, offering visitors total immersion in the lush nature and landscapes typical of this part of Lazio.
Famous for its expanses of centuries-old olive trees, Selci is the heart of the production of the prized Sabine extra virgin olive oil, appreciated nationally and internationally and is the “City of Oil“.

Selci has a rich and ancient history, rooted in ancient times. The village was founded following the barbarian and Saracen invasions, when the inhabitants of nearby Forum Novum sought refuge on a hill, building a new settlement. The name “Selci” derives from the nearby Roman road paved with flint paving stones .

Initially, the settlement was a simple urban agglomeration, but it was soon fortified and became a castrum, or medieval castle. With the expansion of the Church’s territories, Selci swore allegiance to the Pope and became an autonomous municipality. Even today, the village retains important traces of this glorious past, including the city walls and the mighty square tower, which tower above the village as ancient vestiges of the original Castrum Silicij.

Passing through the main gate of the village, one enters its charming historic center, where there are places of great historical and architectural interest. Prominent among them is the Church of the Holy Savior, while on the left, the visitor will be struck by the picturesque small square dominated by a tower.

Although partially integrated with more recent buildings, the old walls that once defended Selci are still visible, giving the village a timeless charm. Strolling through the narrow streets of the center, one comes across ancient place names, such as Via degli Orti, Via del Forno and Via del Palazzetto, that evoke atmospheres of times past.

The village is surrounded by verdant hills, which not only offer breathtaking views, but also represent a glimpse of the ancient rural traditions of Sabina. Here, life follows a slow and natural rhythm, far from the chaos of big cities.

Visitors to Selci can enjoy genuine colours, scents and flavours, such as the “Porchetta Selciana“, recognised as a Traditional Agri-food Product (PAT) of Lazio. Furthermore, Selci has been a “City of Wine” since May 2024.