In the heart of the Parco nazionale regionale dei Monti Simbruini, the borgo of Cervara di Roma is perched on the highest point of a steep rock cliff overlooking the Aniene valley, clustered around a medieval fortress that dates to 1000 C.E.. Inside the borgo, steps link an articulated system of narrow alleys and small squares to compensate for the steep variation in height.
Cervara features the Artists’ sculpture mountain which can be considered an open-air museum: in the 1980s a professor from the Accademia delle Belle Arti of Florence with his students and the inhabitants began to sculpt figures, forms and portraits into the limestone rock. From the bottom of the borgo to the remains of the castle, the rock wall between the stone houses, stairs and squares has been transformed into sculptures and decorated with wall paintings, and Cervara became known as the “village carved into the rock”. Most recently, a ceramic bas-relief was created in 1995 by Fabio Piscopo at the top of the artists’ staircase which pays homage to the numerous artists who found inspiration here.
The artists' staircase and the staircase of peace are symbols of Cervara. Linking the central area of the settlement to the remains of the medieval castle, the latter is a route decorated with artistic works whose principal theme is solidarity between people. From 1991 the staircase of peace became the “mountain of Europe” dedicated to peace.
Roma Lazio Film Commission
Via Parigi 11 – 00185, Roma
Phone: +39 06 72286273/320
Fax: +39 06 722 1127
Email: info@romalaziofilmcommission.it
