Home

Visit Rome following 8 XVIIIth century itineraries XVIIIth century Rome in the 10 Books of Giuseppe Vasi - Le Magnificenze di Roma Antica e Moderna The Grand View of Rome by G. Vasi The Environs of Rome: Frascati, Tivoli, Albano and other small towns near Rome A 1781 map of Rome by G. Vasi An 1852 map of Rome by P. Letarouilly Rome seen by a 1905 armchair traveller in the paintings by Alberto Pisa The 14 historical districts of Rome An abridged history of Rome How to spend a peaceful day in Rome Baroque sculptors and their works The coats of arms of the popes in the monuments of Rome Pages on a specific pope Pages complementing the itineraries and the views by Giuseppe Vasi Walks in the Roman countryside and in other towns of Latium following Ferdinand Gregorovius A Directory of links to the Churches of Rome A Directory of links to the Palaces and Villas of Rome A Directory of links to the Other Monuments of Rome A Directory of Baroque Architects with links to their works A Directory of links to Monuments of Ancient Rome A Directory of links to Monuments of Medieval Rome A Directory of links to Monuments of Renaissance A Directory of links to Monuments of the Late Renaissance A list of the most noteworthy Roman Families Directories of fountains, obelisks, museums, etc. Books and guides used for developing this web site An illustrated Glossary of Art Terms Venice and the Levant Roman recollections in Florence A list of Italian towns shown in this web site Venetian Fortresses in Greece Vienna seen by an Italian XVIIIth century traveller A list of foreign towns shown in this web site
What's New!

Detailed Sitemap

All images © by Roberto Piperno, owner of the domain. Write to romapip@quipo.it. Text edited by Rosamie Moore.

Giuseppe Vasi's Digression - other Castelli Romani


Monte Porzio


This little town has added to its name a reference to the Roman writer and politician Marcus Porcius Cato who was born there and it is now called Monte Porzio Catone. At the beginning of the XVIIth century it was bought (with nearby Montecompatri) by Cardinal Scipione Borghese and its current appearance is very much linked to the Borghese rule which lasted for several centuries.

Palazzo Borghese
Palazzo Borghese


The entrance of Palazzo Borghese is still today the only entrance to the town. The Borghese took care of Monte Porzio and gave it a very urban appearance with streets converging towards S. Gregorio Magno, the main church.

S. Gregorio Magno
S. Gregorio Magno


The church was designed in 1666 by Carlo Rainaldi, one of the most important architects of Rome and its interior is decorated with the heraldic symbols of the Borghese family: eagles and dragons.

Montecompatri


A restaurant in the former Palazzo Borghese
A restaurant in the former Palazzo Borghese


Montecompatri is a sort of twin of Monte Porzio Catone with again many signs of the Borghese rule including a church designed by Carlo Rainaldi. The name of a restaurant indicates the year (1613) the Borghese bought the town. Tinello in today's Italian means a small room next to the kitchen where families have their meals when there are no guests; in the past it meant the room where the servants had their meals.

Rocca Priora


Main gate and Castello Savelli
Main gate and Castello Savelli


Rocca Priora is located at 768 meters (3000 feet) and it is the highest of the Castelli Romani and maybe for this reason it is called Priora after priore, prior, superior officer of a religious order. Unlike Monte Porzio and Montecompatri it did not have the advantages of being ruled by the Borghese, who cared so much about the appearance of their possessions. The lords of Rocca Priora were the Savelli, a family of great power in the XIIIth century, but of limited wealth in the following centuries. The narrow gate which constitutes the only access to the town bears their coat of arms. The Savelli had their castle on the highest point of Rocca Priora. Its medieval looks were too much emphasized by a XIXth century renovation.
The inhabitants of Rocca Priora had a chance in winter to earn a little money by storing snow in nearby caves. The snow was pressed and then shipped to Rome where the rich families used it in summer.

Rocca di Papa


Fountain in Piazza Vecchia and Chiesa del Crocifisso
Fountain in Piazza Vecchia and Chiesa del Crocifisso


Rocca di Papa is located on the flanks of Monte Albano or Monte Cavo the highest peak of the Alban Hills and in the second half of the XIXth century it became popular among the foreigners who lived in or came to Rome due to two artists who chose to live there.
Massimo D'Azeglio who, in addition to being a painter, was a writer and an Italian statesman, wrote extensively about the site in his memoirs published in the 1860s.
Another artist attracted by Rocca di Papa was the German Theodor Wilhelm Achtermann who lived in Rome and in Rocca di Papa for 50 years. Achtermann, being of a profoundly religious character, promoted the erection of a chapel (Chiesa del Crocifisso) on the very top of Rocca di Papa in an area which is still called the Bavarian quarter with reference to the many German artists who lived there. A Gothic altar with three reliefs by him representing scenes from the life of Jesus is in the cathedral of Prague. He died in 1889.

A modern painting and painting on a tufa rock by Antoniazzo Romano
A modern painting and painting on a tufa rock by Antoniazzo Romano


On the road leading to Nemi there is a sanctuary (Madonna del Tufo) named after a madonna painted by Antoniazzo Romano (XVth century) directly on a rock of tufa.

Next step in your tour of the Environs of Rome: Anzio