| Monterano | |
 | |
| State | Italy |
|---|---|
| Region | Lazio |
| Territory | Rome |
| Surface | 5.3 hectares |
| Institutional website | |
Monterano is an archaeological site of the Lazio, in the municipality of Monterano canal.
To know
Geographical notes
It is an abandoned city, located within the Monterano Regional Nature Reserve. The reserve covers an area of over 1000 hectares.
When to go
The best times are in spring and autumn
Background
The site was already frequented in the Bronze Age; the orographic structure, a tufaceous platform surrounded by steep sides, has the ideal characteristics to be defended. The Etruscan presence is testified by the excavated tombs present in the surrounding areas and by a typical "Etruscan cut" to access the plateau. With the fall of Veii and after the sack of the Gauls, the center enters the Roman influence. The Roman presence is attested by tombs.
In the Middle Ages part of the population of Forum Clodii moves to Manturanum, preferring this better defensible site. At the turn of the sixth and seventh centuries, the diocese of Forum Clodii, in the area of Lake Bracciano, is transferred to Manturanum thus becoming the diocese of Monterano. Later it became part of the patrimony of San Pietro, then in the availability of the abbey of San Paolo fuori le Mura. Over time, the Anguillara family took over this and then a series of feudal lords close to the papal court until they reached the property of Gentile Virginio Orsini in 1492, who granted it to his son Carlo.
Towards 1670 it passed into the property of the Altieri, who were already present in Oriolo Romano. Gaspare Altieri, grandson on the part of the mother of Pope Clement X Altieri, then became Duke of Monterano.
In the 18th century the site was exploited for solfataras. The sulfur was mined in the valleys below. At the end of the 18th century the village's economy languished and in 1799, during the French occupation, or perhaps also because of this, the population moved to the nearby village of Canale, which then took the name of Canale Monterano.
Monterano is then abandoned and the roofs, in order not to pay the taxes then provided, are removed.
Various film works were shot on the site, including scenes from Brancaleone alle Crociate and Il Marchese del Grillo, both directed by Mario Monicelli.
How to get
To visit the site you must enter the area of the Monterano regional reserve. The accesses to the area are in the vicinity of Monterano canal.
By plane
The closest airports are those of Rome.
By car
Coming from Rome, you reach Canale Monterano passing through the former state road 493 which partly runs along the route of the ancient Via Claudia. The road starts from the Via Cassia, just before reaching La Storta. Once you have passed Bracciano and reached Manziana, turn left at the traffic light towards Canale.
On the train
Through the FL3 line Rome-Capranica-Viterbo of RFI going down to 1 Manziana-Canale Monterano station where it is possible through a public transport service to reach the town of Monterano canal; the timetables of the connections are available on the website.
By bus
Permits / Rates
Access is regulated by the "Monterano Nature Reserve".
How to get around
Monterano: full screen map.You can move around the area on foot. There is also the possibility of visiting it with horses for hire.
There are two accesses coming from Canale, both with parking for vehicles: Casale Persi and Diosilla.
- 2 Diosilla parking. This entrance is close to the Diosilla waterfall and the solfatara. From the parking lot, you can follow the three tour routes created by the Monterano Regional Nature Reserve. The town of Monterano can be reached via the Red Route.
- 3 Casale Persi parking. It is the closest to the archaeological site. It can be reached from the built-up area of Canale along via Monterano. The first part is paved then becomes a dirt road. Entering the reserve on foot, proceed to the town. Monterano can be reached from the north.
What see
- 1 Diosilla waterfall (It is located in the immediate vicinity of the parking lot.).
- 2 Sulfur mines. From the Diosilla waterfall, following an easy path, you will find the sulfur mines used in the 18th century and closed at the beginning of the 20th century.
- 3 Solfatara Bicione valley.
- 4 The cavone (Etruscan tagliata). It is a stretch of the ancient road to Caere that crossed the hill to reach the town; the cut about thirty meters long could only be covered on foot or with pack animals. Currently it is not practicable for percolations of collapses of the cliffs.
- 5 Cavarella for Blera (Etruscan tagliata). This is the stretch of road that led from Monterano to Blera.
- 6 Aqueduct. Built in the 17th century by the Altieri, it is largely underground. Near the town it passed over a depression with a double order of arches. It is one of the elements represented in the reserve's coat of arms.
- 7 Walls.
- 8 Porta Cretella. It is one of the two gateways to the town that ran best.
- 9 Church of Santa Maria.
- 10 Palazzo Ducale Orsini-Altieri. It is the most important building in the village. Initially born with a defensive structure, in 1600 it was transformed into a ducal palace. The rearrangement is by Bernini who is also responsible for the Lion fountain.
- 11 Fountain of the Lion. It depicts a lion on a high rocky wall that hits the rock with its paw making the water come out. Bernini's original was moved to Canale and was replaced by a copy.
- 12 Church of San Rocco.
- 13 Door of Pizzinemi.
- 14 Octagonal fountain.
- 15 . It is located on a large esplanade to the west of the village. It was built between 1677 and 1679 on a project by Gian Lorenzo Bernini; Behind it is the convent of the same name. It has a single nave and has two two side chapels. The dome has collapsed and a large tree grows inside. The church is depicted in a 1781 painting from the Altieri palace in Oriolo Romano, together with the other localities of the fief. In front of the church is the octagonal fountain.
- 16 Panoramic point of the Mignone valley. From this point you can see the territory of the Altieri fiefdom.
- 17 Solfatara valley of the Mignone.
- 18 Hydraulic works Mola di Monterano.
- 19 Remains of the Roman bridge over the Mignone (To reach the remains of the bridge it is necessary to wade the Mignone.).
- 20 Ara del Tufo necropolis.
What to do
The Monterano Regional Nature Reserve has created a network of routes that can be traveled on foot with MTB and horse that allow you to visit Monterano and its territory which can be consulted on the website.
- Red Route (Departure from the Diosilla car park.). Easy hiking trail of 3.5 km that leads from the Diosilla car park to the ancient town of Monterano allowing you to see the Diosilla waterfall, the riparian environment, the zolfatara, the mines, the cavone and the cavarella for Blera.
- Green Route (Departure from the Diosilla car park.). Easy hiking trail of 11 km that leads to the necropolis of the Ara del Tufo.
- Yellow Route (Departure from the Diosilla car park.). Hiking / MTB / equestrian trail of about 11 km that crosses the territory of the nature reserve.
Shopping
Where to eat
1 Equipped picnic area (Near the Church of San Bonaventura.).
It is possible to eat in one of the nearest places: Monterano canal, Oriolo Romano or Manziana.
Where stay
Safety
In case of emergency, it is possible to contact the reserve offices on 39 06 9962724.
During the closing time it is possible to contact the gamekeepers on 39 333 9909933.
