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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
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All images © by Roberto Piperno, owner of the domain. Write to romapip@quipo.it. Text edited by Rosamie Moore.
Land of the Romans' wives Cantalupo in Sabina and Casperia
(detail of a mural painting in Montopoli)

Cantalupo

Main entrance; statue of Hermes; S. Biagio
Main entrance; statue of Hermes; parish church

In the late XVIth century and in the following century the lords of some medieval small towns near Rome, felt the need to give to their possessions a modern appearance and to make their urban layout more responsive to the needs of modern farming: S. Martino al Cimino and Filacciano are among the best examples of these changes.
Cantalupo lost its medieval gate at the end of the XVIth century when Cardinal Donato Cesi redesigned the access to the town and placed there two ancient statues to greet the visitors. A straight road allows a direct view of the parish church (redesigned in the XVIIIth century).

Loggia of Palazzo Cesi Camuccini; detail of a pillar; Cesi coat of arms
Loggia of Palazzo Cesi Camuccini; detail of a pillar; Cesi coat of arms

Cardinal Cesi modified the medieval fortress at the top of Cantalupo and he did so in a radical way by giving it a splendid Renaissance façade, which some believe was designed by il Vignola, who worked for the Farnese at nearby Caprarola. The portico and the loggia follow classical patterns, but the pillars show those laughing masks which will become a common feature of Baroque architecture.
The design of the fountain at the centre of the square is based on the coat of arms of the Cesi.

S. Biagio (deconsecrated): rear view of Palazzo Cesi Camuccini
S. Biagio (deconsecrated): rear view of Palazzo Cesi Camuccini

The Cesi completed their modernization of Cantalupo by building an elegant church immediately outside the town and by modifying the rear part of the old fortress.

Casperia

View of the walls and towers
View of the walls and towers

Chiantishire is the name given to the region of Chianti in Tuscany, because of the many foreigners who have chosen to live there. Over the years the borders of Chiantishire have expanded to include Umbria and Northern Latium. Casperia has recently joined the club of Italian small towns which host such a foreign community.

Main gate; a Renaissance Loggia; S. Giovanni Battista
Main gate; a Renaissance Loggia; S. Giovanni Battista

Casperia (in the past called Astra - Casperia is the name of an ancient Sabine town mentioned by Virgil) is located on the top of an isolated hill and it is still surrounded by its ancient walls. Some buildings show Renaissance features, but overall Casperia retains a picturesque medieval atmosphere, especially owing to its winding streets.

Picturesque streets
Picturesque streets in Casperia


Roccantica

View of Roccantica
View of Roccantica

Roccantica (ancient rock), on a hill opposite to Casperia, is another small town surrounded by olive trees which certainly will attract those in search of a peaceful and picturesque buen retiro.

Move back to Montopoli in Sabina and Poggio Mirteto.


Pages on towns of Latium other than Rome In the Duchy of Castro: Farnese, Ischia di Castro, Valentano, Gradoli, Capodimonte, Marta In Maremma: Corneto (Tarquinia), Montalto, Canino A Pilgrim's Way: Via Francigena: Acquapendente, Bolsena, Montefiascone In and about Viterbo: Viterbo, Bagnoregio, S. Martino al Cimino, Tuscania, Bomarzo, S. Maria della Querce, Bagnaia, Orte, Vasanello, Vitorchiano From Civitavecchia to Civita Castellana: Civitavecchia, Tolfa, Allumiere, Oriolo Romano, Capranica, Sutri, Bassano, Monterosi, Nepi, Castel d'Elia, Civita Castellana From Bracciano to Viterbo: Manziana, Canale Monterano, Vejano, Barbarano, Blera, Vetralla Around Monte Cimino: Ronciglione, Caprarola, Carbognano, Fabrica, Corchiano, Vignanello, Vallerano, Soriano The Bracciano Lake: Bracciano, Trevignano, Anguillara At the foot of Monte Soratte: S. Oreste, Rignano, Faleria Land of the Romans' wives: Montopoli, Poggio Mirteto, Casperia, Cantalupo, Roccantica Sentinels on the Highway: Fiano Romano, Civitella S. Paolo, Nazzano, Torrita Tiberina, Filacciano, Ponzano Along Via Aurelia: Palidoro, Palo, S. Severa and S. Marinella A Walk to Malborghetto: Prima Porta, Malborghetto Branching off Via Cassia: S. Maria di Galeria, Formello, Isola Farnese To Nomentum and beyond: Mentana, Monterotondo, Palombara A Walk to Ponte di Nona: ancient monuments along Via Prenestina Via Appia Antica A short and delicious digression: Tivoli, Montecompatri, Monte Porzio Catone, Frascati, Grottaferrata, Marino, Castelgandolfo, Albano, Ariccia, Genzano, Velletri, Nemi, Rocca di Papa, Rocca Priora, Civita Lavinia (Lanuvio), Porto, Ostia Where the painters found their models: Anticoli Corrado, Castelmadama, Vicovaro, Arsoli Subiaco The Roman Campagna: Palestrina, Genazzano, Paliano, Anagni The Ernici Mountains: Ferentino, Alatri The Volsci Mountains: Valmontone, Colonna, Segni, Norma, Cori On the Latin Shores: Anzio, Nettuno, Torre Astura On the edge of the marsh: Sermoneta, Sezze, Priverno Circe's Cape: S. Felice, Terracina Veroli Branching off Via Flaminia: Riano, Castelnuovo di Porto, Morlupo, Leprignano (Capena)

Latium was enlarged in the 1920s with territories from the neighbouring regions: the map on the left shows the current borders of Latium; the map on the right has links to pages covering towns of historical Latium: in order to see them you must hover and click on the dots.