San Martino al Cimino is a picturesque village nestled in the Cimini Mountains, known for its unique urban layout and the imposing Cistercian Abbey that dominates its skyline. What makes this village particularly special is its transformation in the 17th century under the direction of Donna Olimpia Maidalchini Pamphilj, sister-in-law of Pope Innocent X and one of the most powerful women in papal Rome.

The village originated around a Cistercian abbey founded in 1150, but its current appearance dates to the 1640s when Donna Olimpia, often called "La Pimpaccia" or even the "female Pope," redesigned it as an ideal Renaissance town. She commissioned the architect Marcantonio De Rossi to create a harmonious urban plan with the abbey church as its focal point.

The Abbey Church of San Martino, with its impressive façade and dome, combines Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque elements. Inside, visitors can admire beautiful frescoes, marble decorations, and the tomb of Donna Olimpia herself. The adjacent Palazzo Doria Pamphilj served as her residence and administrative center for the estate.

The village is laid out in a rational grid pattern with uniform houses for workers and craftsmen, an innovative concept for the time. The main square, Piazza Doria, connects to the abbey through a monumental staircase, creating a theatrical setting typical of Baroque urban design.

Surrounded by the lush Cimini Forest, San Martino al Cimino offers visitors not only architectural and historical interest but also natural beauty, with opportunities for hiking and enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.