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From Wikitravel

Civita Castellana is a city in the north of Lazio in Italy.

[edit] Understand

Civita Castellana was settled during the Iron Age by the Falisci, who called it Falerii. It was already important 3000 years ago, protected from invaders by its high position and surrounding stream and cliffs. The Romans defeated the Falisci in 396 BC and in again in 241 BC after a revolt by the locals who were then required to build a new, less defensible, city about 5 km away,. This is known as Falerii Novi (see Get Out).

The original city was repopulated in the early Middle Ages because it offered greater protection, and the new name of Civita Castellana was first mentioned in 994. In the following centuries the city was a flourishing independent commune.

[edit] Get in

Civita Castellana is 60km to the north of Rome. By car from Rome’s ring road, the GRA, take the SS2bis (known as the Cassia bis) until Gabelletta and then the SS311 in the direction of Nepi. Civita Castellana is a few km after Nepi on the same road.

By train, the city can be reached from Rome by the Rome to Viterbo line that leaves from the station at Piazzale Flaminio, near Piazza del Popolo.

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

• The Cathedral of S. Maria Maggiore, (Il Duomo). This is a very attractive building. There is considerable Cosmatesque work (geometrical floor mosaics) both inside and out. These patterns were created in the Middle Ages from thin slices cut from colored marble and columns left in the ancient ruins. The name derives from a Roman family, the Cosmati, who did this sort of work. Similar Cosmati floors can be found in Rome, Anagni and Spoleto. The high altar is made out of a sarcophagus of the 3rd or 4th century. The ancient crypt and the old sacristy are also worth viewing. Outside, the effect of the beautiful portico, dating back to 1210, is somewhat spoilt by the fence that protects it.

• The fortress (La Rocca). This fortress was built by Pope Alexander VI and completed by Julius II with the erection of the octagonal keep. It's an excellent example of military architecture and is still very well preserved. In the early 19th Century it served as the main prison for northern Lazio and became known as the Papal Bastille as it confined many Italian patriots.

[edit][add listing] Do

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[edit] Contact

[edit] Get out

• Falerii Novi is 6km west of Civita Castellana. It is situated on a slight volcanic plateau. There are extensive walls, considered to be excellent examples of Etruscan/Roman city walls. Built out of tufo rock they are about 2km long. S. Maria of Falerii was built around the 12th Century. Its ruins are clearly visible but the roof collapsed in 1829.

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