Settecolli Trophy - Arpino (FR), June 17-19, 2011
Click here to download the presentation
After three years of incursions into neighboring regions (Abruzzo, Campania, and Molise), the Settecolli Trophy returned (from June 17 to 19, 2011) to Lazio with a proposal aimed, once again, at promoting new and unfamiliar territories, usually removed from the major tourist flows, with the aim of promoting their knowledge, especially among Friends who have come from further afield.
The rally, which attracted 29 crews from various regions of Italy (from Emilia Romagna to Puglia) and the Republic of San Marino, wound its way along the roads of Alta Ciociaria, the wedge of the Lazio region that extends into Abruzzo, penetrating the heart of the National Park. The Club also sought to select new routes and locations never visited on previous outings, offering the Lazio crews fresh perspectives.
In particular, we ventured into the upper valleys of the Sacco, Liri, and Comino rivers, crossing areas that, in addition to their past glory, are still today graced by stunning and, in some places, unspoiled nature, made up of rivers, lakes, and mountains.
The opening day of the rally was dedicated to a visit to Roman and medieval Arpino and the acropolis of Civitavecchia, which the crews reached after passing a regularity test, set up along the transfer route thanks to the collaboration of the Friends of the Tempo Perso team of Sora. The top three crews in the race received three "cannate," the traditional Ciociaria terracotta jugs, characteristic of Arpino, once used by local women to transport water and other liquids. These jugs, elegantly balanced on the head, were artistically decorated with the city and club crests by a local painter. Identical objects, specially made for the rally, represented the MGCCI's tribute to the representatives of the local authorities and associations who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the initiative.
On Saturday, following a route of over 100 km, the caravan visited the towns of Posta Fibreno, including a visit to the environmental reserve; Vicalvi, Alvito, Forca d'Acero; San Donato Val di Comino, including a visit to the historic center; Atina; and Casalvieri, finally returning to Santopadre after passing through the evocative scenery of the Melfa Gorges, and from there to Arpino. The gala dinner, concluding an intense and emotional day, featured a performance by the Gruppo Musicisti del Basso Lazio, one of the most famous ethnic music groups in central and southern Italy.
On Sunday, after stopping at Isola del Liri and the Casamari Abbey, the gathering concluded in Veroli with a visit to the historic center of the ancient Roman city and a farewell lunch, all centered on traditional dishes and recipes.
This year, due to national calendar constraints, the rally moved from its traditional autumnal location to early summer. This allowed participating crews to enjoy more daylight hours and allowed organizers to extend the duration of the excursions and increase the number of stops and visits.
As is now a consolidated tradition of the Settecolli Trophy, there was no shortage of appointments with the cuisine and typical products of Ciociaria and with the culture, art, tradition and customs of the people who made the history of ancient Rome, particularly in the Republican era.
Above all, the aim was to create the right atmosphere to offer participants a short but intense vacation in one of the most remote and evocative corners of Lazio, with the hope that those gathered will create pleasant and lasting memories. Even the title of the gathering, borrowed from perhaps the most famous work of Marcus Tullius Cicero, who was born in Arpino along with other illustrious Romans such as Gaius Marius and Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (the builder of the Pantheon), was intended to celebrate the sentiment that unites the members in sharing a common passion and which is at the root of the motto of the MG Car Club d'Italia: "Living Free, Together."
Special thanks go to the Pro Loco Associations of Arpino and Veroli and to the GAL of the Lazio Side of the Abruzzo National Park, who contributed with particular commitment and dedication to the event's complete success.