History
Water governs Stigliano: the nine different springs and two rivers which flow through it make it unique. These waters are thermal and curative and boast a millenary history. After the Etruscans, the first to be fascinated by the enchantment of the place were the Romans, who chose Stigliano as a thermal residence. Some vestiges of the Termae Stygianae can still be admired in the park, such as the ruins of the Roman baths, extended by Emperor Tiberius, and the consular road. Already in the eighteenth century Prince Altieri restored the aquae stygianae to their ancient usage. He reopened the thermal baths to the public and built a hotel and small church near the springs, giving life to a little village. Now, after a century of neglect,
the Imperial baths, hotel, eighteenth century village and park have reacquired their ancient splendour and act as a meeting point between natural and constructed beauty.
The presence of thermal waters which flow deep down has made the flora at Stigliano extraordinarily lush. The exceptional microclimate enriches the typical flora of Latium with endemic species.
The twenty hectare park, completely restored by the Marchioness Umberta Patrizi Montoro, follows a magic itinerary traced by the ever-present water. Maples, ancient oaks, holm oaks, sessile oaks, hazels, tamarisks and giant bamboos mingle with the predominant stretches of Roman pines in dream-like geometry. In the sophisticated play of scent and colour even the fauna of the park is extraordinarily varied and herons, falcons, owls, porcupines, badgers, foxes, weasels and stone martens are all assiduous guests.
