The Cultural Patrimony

The cultural and historic patrimony of the territory of the Colline Romane District represents a fundamental resource for local economic development, carrying with it, the tangible signs of a history that dates back 3000 years. Furthermore, this territory comprises of passed civilisations, cultures and traditions which today, represents both an added value and elements of excellence for the district. The territory presents a unique concentration of archaeological areas: these archaeological areas contain the remains of temples from the Roman and pre-Roman era, as well as necropolis and funerary monuments, amphitheatres, works of hydraulic engineering and villas from the Imperial or Republican age. Here, there can be found testimonies and traces within almost every municipality within the Colline Romane District (from Ciampino to Albano Laziale, from Palestrina to Cori, from Licenza to Nemi, from Segni to Lanuvio, etc.). Amongst these, lies the magnificent Villa of Adriano in Tivoli, which constitutes part of the universal patrimony of Unesco and is recognised internationally, being equal to the Colosseum and the pyramids of Egypt.

Monumental and architectural heritage. The district offers some of the most fascinating cultural products including the extraordinary flowering of noble residences built between the 16th and 18th centuries by members of the Roman noble families. It is in this way that the system of the beautiful Tuscolane Villas and the Baroque palaces emerge, where the greatest architects of the Renaissance and Baroque periods have left their undeletable mark (e.g. Vanvitelli, Bernini, Borromini, Vasari, Domenichino, Sangallo, Maderno, etc.).

Centres of faith and spirituality: the places of spirituality and faith are fascinating for visitors and include the churches, monasteries, abbeys and hermitages, all being rich with frescos, icons, mosaics and sculptures. Amongst these is the beautiful Abbey of San Nilo in Grottaferrata, the Sanctuary of the Mentorella in Capranica Prenestina and the Hermitage of the Camaldolesi in Frascati. Masterpieces in figurative art “Beautiful” describes the cycle of frescos contained within Villa Falconieri in Frascati, Doria Palace in Valmontone, Chigi Palace in Ariccia and those of Villa Grazioli in Grottaferrata, as well as other multiple works conserved within the churches over the entire area. Museums. Here, one can count dozens of museums with precious works; among which is the beautiful Mosaic of the Nile conserved in the National Archaeological Museum of Palestrina, and the museums Albano, Frascati, Segni, Valmontone, Velletri and Zagarolo.

Traditions and folklore. Also reflecting expressions of the local culture are the festivals and the folkloristic traditions, many of which are known internationally. For example, the festival “Infiorata” of Genzano di Roma, the Colline Romane festivals of “Water works and greenery” and the Festival of the Tuscolane Villas, the suggestive religious festivals and the many village feasts (sagre) celebrating typically local products, all running over the course of the entire year.