Happy TravellerWelcome to Guidonia Montecelio, a charming town located in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, central Italy. This hidden gem is often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors, but it boasts a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and mouthwatering local cuisine. Join us as we uncover the many treasures of Guidonia Montecelio and reveal why this enchanting destination should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
Guidonia Montecelio is formed by the main towns of Guidonia and Montecelio, and it lies to the north-east of Rome, just a few kilometers from the Grande Raccordo Anulare – a ring-shaped motorway which forms a circle around the capital. The terrain of Guidonia Montecelio is mainly flat, and the community lies in between the Via Nomentana and the Via Tiburtina. It borders with Fonte Nuova, Marcellina, Palombara Sabina, Rome, San Polo dei Cavalieri, SantAngelo Romano, and Tivoli. The hamlets (frazioni) are Albuccione, Bivio di Guidonia, Colle Fiorito, Colleverde, La Botte, Marco Simone, Montecelio, Pichini, Setteville, Setteville Nord, Villalba, and Villanova.
Guidonia Montecelio has a rich history that dates back to the 10th century when Montecelio was founded as a fortified castrum (Castrum Monticellorum). In 1915, the Regio Esercito (Italian Royal Army) built a major military airport in the area for its Corpo Aeronautico Militare (Military Aviation Corps), the predecessor of the Italian Royal Air Force founded in 1923. Guidonia was erected as a comune in 1937 by Benito Mussolini, its name chosen to honor the Regia Aeronautica general Alessandro Guidoni (1880–1928), who had died on 27 April 1928 while testing a new parachute at the air force facilities.
Today, Guidonia Montecelio is part of the Rome metropolitan area, with a massive presence of industry (mainly travertine caves and cement industry) and the service sector. The number of residents commuting to Rome is high, with transport in a critical situation. Guidonia is also home to Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, which was announced as the host of the 2022 Ryder Cup in June 2015, but with the COVID-19 pandemic postponing the 2020 Ryder Cup to 2021, subsequent matches were pushed back a year with Marco Simone now hosting the event in 2023.
Guidonia Montecelio is a town that is proud of its people. David Di Michele, a former Italian football player, was born in Guidonia Montecelio. Mikeshowsha, an Italian Youtuber, also hails from this charming town.
Guidonia Montecelio is twinned with Kawasaki, Japan; Cape Canaveral, United States; and Kashira, Russia. Come and experience the charm of Guidonia Montecelio for yourself and discover why this hidden gem should be on your travel bucket list.
References:
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guidonia_Montecelio
Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Guidonia_Montecelio_panorama.jpg
