November 3, 2025. A day in Itri, wandering through town and into the rolling olive-grove countryside once roamed by legendary bandits.
Our walk through the historic center of Itri was full of surprises. Even with the castle closed for restoration, the “percorso” (marked pathway) through this ancient hill town offered plenty to see and admire.
We passed through centuries-old gates like Porta Mamurra and Porta San Martino and wandered narrow alleys that once marked the Jewish quarter, where we chatted with some life-long residents, who offered fresh Italian espresso. We climbed stone staircases past medieval churches, bell towers, and small piazzas, visited the birthplace of Pope Urban VI, and stopped in a Piazza named “Fra Diavolo,” after Itri’s most famous brigand (bandit), a controversial figure whose legacy still lingers in local memory.
We ended the day at Frantoio Genesio Mancini, an olive oil mill, where we saw local growers bring in their olives to be pressed, watched the production process, and enjoyed a tasting of the very freshest oil made from the olives grown in the surrounding hills. With its deep roots in history, legends of roaming bandits, and commitment to local tradition, Itri offered us a truly rich and memorable experience.
