# Antrodoco

- **Country:** Italy
- **Coordinates:** 42.416667, 13.083333
- **Location Text:** ''Castello di Piscignola''

Antrodoco is a historic town and comune situated in the province of Rieti within the Lazio region of central Italy. Perched at an elevation of 525 meters, it lies along the Velino river at the strategic confluence of two narrow Apennine valleys known for their dramatic canyon landscapes. The town's name originates from the Latin term Interocrea, meaning between the mountains, reflecting its unique geographical setting. While specific construction dates for a singular castle are not detailed in available records, the area has served as a vital transportation hub since the era of Roman civilization. It historically marked the intersection of the ancient Via Salaria and the starting point of the Via Caecilia, roles that continue today through modern state highways connecting Rome to the Adriatic coast and L'Aquila.

The town boasts significant historical and cultural landmarks, including several notable churches such as Santa Maria Assunta, Santa Maria Extra Moenia, Santa Chiara, and Sant'Agostino. A particularly intriguing feature of the local landscape is found on nearby Monte Giano, where a pine forest was planted in 1939 to form the word DVX, a Latin reference to the Duce, which remains visible from miles away. This unusual monument adds a layer of twentieth-century history to the ancient surroundings. The town also maintains a railway station on the Terni–Sulmona line, preserving its legacy as a key transit point through the rugged terrain.

Today, Antrodoco functions as a small municipality with a population of approximately 2,500 residents who identify as Antrodocani. It serves as an administrative center for the surrounding frazioni of Rocca di Corno and Rocca di Fondi. The community celebrates its patron saint, St. Anne, every July 26th. Although the provided text does not describe a specific castle structure currently standing, the town's enduring importance stems from its defensive geographic position and its continuous role in facilitating movement across the Apennines from antiquity to the present day.

![Photo of Antrodoco](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Antrodoco_dall%27alto.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antrodoco (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)