Between Water and History (Appennino Festival)

Between Water and History: walking, memory, and music in the Rieti Sabina

Between Water and History is the event that brings the Appennino Festival to Castel Sant'Angelo, a small town in the province of Rieti, in the Lazio region. The day takes place in the hamlet of Canetra and follows the format that has made the festival famous: a long walk through the Apennine landscape, enriched by encounters with the history, archaeology, and music of the area. It is one of the many stops of the widespread project that, every year, unites dozens of municipalities across the Marche, Abruzzo, Lazio, and Umbria regions.

The hike to the Villa of Titus

The heart of the event is the guided hike that starts and ends in Canetra: a loop of about 9 kilometers, with an elevation gain of approximately 174 meters and an 'E' (hiking) difficulty level, suitable for those with a basic level of fitness. The route, lasting about four hours, leads to the ruins of the Villa of Titus, an important testament to the Roman era immersed in the nature of the Sabina region. Along the way, participants cross woods, springs, and viewpoints that tell the ancient bond these places have with water, the element that gives the event its name.

The re-enactment by the Gruppo Storico Sabino

Amidst the vestiges of the Roman villa, a historical re-enactment comes to life, curated by the Gruppo Storico Sabino: period costumes, scenic choreography, and engaging narratives transport the visitor back to the ancient Sabines, a proud people who inhabited these mountains before and during the expansion of Rome. The performance transforms the walk into a true journey through time, combining historical dissemination and theatrical emotion in an exceptional natural setting.

The music of Raffaello Simeoni

Upon returning, the festivities move to Piazza Antonio Gramsci, where a refreshment point managed by the local Pro Loco is available. In the evening, the program culminates with the concert by the Raffaello Simeoni Ensemble and the show "Mirabilia 2026": a musical journey through folk sounds, ancient instruments, and stories from different cultures, imagined as a sonic "cabinet of curiosities." Simeoni's music, rooted in the tradition of the Central Apennines but open to the world, closes the day with an intense and convivial atmosphere.

A festival spread across four regions

Between Water and History is part of the Appennino Festival calendar, a series promoted by the Office of the Extraordinary Commissioner for Post-Earthquake Reconstruction 2016 together with the local BIM Consortia, including the BIM Nera-Velino of Rieti. Created to enhance the inland areas of the Central Apennines affected by the earthquake, the festival involves dozens of municipalities across Marche, Abruzzo, Umbria, and Lazio every season, offering walks, hikes, re-enactments, and concerts from May to October. In Castel Sant'Angelo, the initiative becomes an opportunity to rediscover the Rieti Sabina, its archaeological heritage, and its communities.

Why attend

• An accessible hike immersed in the Sabina landscape, among springs and Roman ruins.
• A quality historical re-enactment among the ruins of the Villa of Titus.
• An evening folk music concert with Raffaello Simeoni.
• Refreshments and local products provided by the Pro Loco.
• Free participation in the event, with mandatory reservation.