Pie’ di Rocca’s Church

The small church, dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady, was built in 1790 by the Marquises Vincentini, lords of Roccantica since 1690. In that year, in fact, they had redeemed the village, also obtaining the title of nobility, from Marie Anne de la Trémoille, widow of Flavio Orsini. The church was built at the highest point of the village, at the foot of the so-called tower of Nicholas II. In addition to celebrating one hundred years of ownership, it is virtually certain that its construction also served as a kind of “reparation” on the part of the marquises, who had not contributed financially to the reconstruction of the parish church in 1740.

From the beginning, the small church became a symbol for the community, so much so that in devotions it managed to supplant the mother church, dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. The feast of Sept. 8, the day of the Nativity, has always been particularly cherished in Roccantica. Until a few decades ago, on the occasion of this feast day, even emigrants returned to the village. The feast also marked the end of summer and the beginning of the grape harvest, combining the sacred and the profane as was the custom.

Precious ex-votos, such as necklaces, rings and various jewelry, were affixed to the statue of Our Lady of Piedirocca. Unfortunately, some years ago, the statue was stripped following a sacrilegious theft. Today the church appears completely transformed from its original layout. Parish priest Don Guerrino Giacobini renovated it according to his personal taste. Skilled in iron and woodworking, he decided to decorate the walls with wrought-iron holy images. The floor was also redone in olive wood, with an image of Our Lady, also in wrought iron, set in the center.

Access to the church is through a gate, obviously made of wrought iron, which opens to the first flight of steps made of “opus incertum” stones, with symbols set in iron. On the right side of the climb are some Stations of the Cross, also made of wrought iron, and a reconstruction of the Lourdes Grotto. A small square leads to a second gate, from which a second flight of steps departs. On the left side is a half-bust of Pope John XXIII. From the churchyard there is also access to the Tower of Nicholas II.

The Norman-style tower is a watch and signal tower, not a defense tower, built after 1059, when the Altavilla army was aligned with Pope Nicholas II. It has suffered damage over time, both from earthquakes and neglect, but has fortunately been restored in recent years, recovering part of its original structure. An internal staircase allows one to climb up to a belvedere, from which one can admire a breathtaking view of the entire Tiber valley, the tower being located at one of the highest points in Sabina.