- Most beautiful villages
Photo: Bocachete, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
- Type
- Historic village
- Elevation
- 450 m above sea level
- Area
- 28,190,000 m²
- Coordinates
- 41°38′33″ N, 13°28′26″ E
- Address
- Comune, corso Umberto I 3
History and description
Boville Ernica is a town and comune in the province of Frosinone, Lazio, Italy. It is located over the summit of a steep hill commanding the Liri, Cosa and Sacco valleys. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").
History
The town's history stretches back to pre-Roman times, which is testified by its numerous archaeological findings and prehistoric Pelasgic walls. Its primordial name, "Bauco", recalls the ancient agricultural worship of the god Bove, symbol of fertility. In the archaeological area of Monte Fico, where once stood a temple dedicated to this divinity, there have come to light votive statuettes featuring oxen.
Boville Ernica was once situated on the plains below its present site, but after the Saracen and Hungarian invasions (9th–10th centuries), its population moved to the higher levels of Monte Fico, where the ancient center was transformed into one of the most fortified towns in the region.
Main sights
In addition to the Pelasgic walls, sights include the castle and its Medieval walls having as many as 18 turrets and towers (alternating as round and square shapes), all standing completely intact.
Boville is also home to many Renaissance palaces and churches. Among them is the church of San Pietro Ispano, erected in the 12th century over the grotto in which for many years the Patron Saint lived. The church still conserves an early-Christian sarcophagus, two reliquaries, belonging to S. Pietro Ispano and S. Lucy, a chapel once belonging to the noble family of the Simoncelli, a Sansovino basrelief and a mosaic attributed to Giotto.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Boville Ernica».
Photos
Getting there
Fontana Liri InferioreTrain, nearest
7.8 km as the crow flies
Boville ErnicaComune, corso Umberto I 3
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore historic villages in Lazio
- Most beautiful villages
- Most beautiful villages
- Most beautiful villages
- Most beautiful villages
- Most beautiful villages
Frequently asked questions
Where is Boville Ernica?
Boville Ernica is in Boville Ernica, in the province of Frosinone (Lazio), Italy. Address: Comune, corso Umberto I 3. GPS coordinates: 41.64250, 13.47399.
What else is there to see near Boville Ernica?
Nearby you’ll find: Castello di Monte San Giovanni Campano (3.3 km away), Casamari Abbey (3.4 km away), Museo dell'Energia di Ripi (5.9 km away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 3 photos
- BovilleErnica — Bocachete, Public domain
- Boville Ernica - 1 — Gigi er Gigliola, CC0
- Bauco - 1 — Gigi er Gigliola, CC0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences