🏰CANALE MONTERANO CASTLE📜 MILLENARY HISTORY

Ancient Origins

• Prehistoric foundation: inhabited since the Bronze Age (11th century BC)

• Etruscan period: important stronghold of the Caere lucumonia (7th-4th century BC)

• Latin name: Manturianum, later corrupted to Manturanum

• Roman era: episcopal seat from 313 AD, succeeding Forum Clodii

The Middle Ages

• 6th-7th century: becomes diocese of Monterano replacing Forum Clodii

• 730 AD: theater of an imperial usurpation attempt with Tiberio Petasio

• 1300: fief of the Anguillara, then the Orsini

• 15th century: period of decline and depopulation

👑 THE GOLDEN AGE: THE ALTIERI FAMILY (1671-1799)

Pope Clement X and the Baroque Renaissance

• 1671: Pope Clement X (Emilio Bonaventura Altieri) purchases the fief

• Family strategy: the Paluzzi Albertoni acquire the Altieri surname

• Gaspare Altieri: becomes Duke of Monterano and patron of the arts

The Works of Genius: Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Church and Convent of San Bonaventura (1677-1679):

• Bernini's design realized by Mattia De' Rossi

• Single nave with two lateral chapels

• Dome and two bell towers (no longer existing)

• The famous fig tree: grown inside, made famous by "The Marquis of Grillo"

Ducal Palace (Orsini-Altieri Castle):

• Bernini connects the two pre-existing towers with a six-arch loggia

• Medieval square tower (12th century) and 15th-century circular tower

"Whimsical" Lion Fountain:

• Bernini masterpiece exploiting the rocky foundations

• Lion striking the rock to make water gush forth

• Symbol of Altieri power and generosity

Octagonal Fountain:

• In front of the Church of San Bonaventura

• Today a copy (original in Canale Monterano)

The 17th Century Aqueduct

• Two orders of arches 9 meters high

• Popular legend: built by the devil

• Stones fitted together without mortar

⚔️ THE TRAGEDY OF 1799

Historical Context

• February 1798: French troops enter Rome

• Roman Republic: military occupation until September 1799

• Anti-French uprisings: in Lazio and central Italy

The Pretext and Destruction

• The grain dispute: conflict between Monterano and Tolfa over a grain shipment

• March 1799: sacking and burning by French troops

• Broader context: repression of rural communities hostile to the French

• Other sackings: contemporary in Tolfa and Allumiere

Definitive Abandonment

• Multiple causes: malaria, famines, war devastation

• Migration: population towards Canale Monterano

• From 1799: permanent state of ruin

🎬 LEGENDARY FILM SET

Famous Films Shot in Monterano

Historical epics:

• Ben-Hur (1959): 11 Academy Awards

• The Gospel According to Matthew (1964): Pasolini's masterpiece

Mario Monicelli's comedies:

• Cops and Robbers (1951): with Totò

• Brancaleone at the Crusades (1970): with Vittorio Gassman

• The Marquis of Grillo (1981): iconic scenes with Alberto Sordi

Other important films:

• The Vision of the Sabbath (1988): Marco Bellocchio

• Ladyhawke, The Black Arrow, The Three Roses of Eva

Fra' Bastiano's Hideout

• Cult scene: Church of San Bonaventura in "The Marquis of Grillo"

• The historic fig tree: involuntary protagonist of cinema (partially collapsed in 2022)

• Flavio Bucci: unforgettable Fra' Bastiano

Why Monterano?

• Proximity to Rome: 1 hour from Cinecittà

• Reduced costs: natural set without reconstructions

• Unique atmosphere: romantic decay perfect for cinema

🌿 MONTERANO REGIONAL NATURE RESERVE

General Characteristics

• Establishment: 1988, expanded in 1993

• Extension: 1,082 hectares

• Position: between Tolfa Mountains and Sabatini Mountains

• SIC: Site of Community Interest for the Mignone River

Exceptional Biodiversity

Fauna:

• 142 vertebrate species recorded

• 24 species in Red Lists at risk of extinction

• 31% of Italian fauna, 56% of Lazio fauna

Rare Species:

• Amphibians: spectacled salamander, crested newt

• Birds: European roller, wallcreeper, kingfisher

• Mammals: wildcat, pine marten, porcupine

• Bats: greater horseshoe bat, miniopterus

Exceptional Flora:

• Monte Angiano: 27 species of wild orchids + 11 natural hybrids

• Rare ferns: Osmunda regalis, Blechnum spicant

• League Oaks: two 400-year-old specimens

Geology and Volcanic Phenomena

• Tolfa-Sabatini formation: marls, argillites, sandstones

• Sulfataras: sulfurous emanations from the subsoil

• Diosilla Waterfall: waters colored from rust yellow to blue due to sulfur

💎 WHAT TO SEE: COMPLETE ITINERARY

1. The Roman-17th Century Aqueduct

• Scenic entrance to the ghost town

• Imposing arches 9 meters high

• Legend of the devil builder

2. Church and Convent of San Bonaventura

• Bernini masterpiece (1677-1679)

• The historic fig tree grown inside

• Octagonal fountain in front (copy)

• Set of "The Marquis of Grillo"

3. Ducal Palace (Orsini-Altieri Castle)

• Six-arch loggia by Bernini

• "Whimsical" Lion Fountain

• Medieval tower and Renaissance tower

• Panorama over the Mignone Valley

4. Other Monuments

• Church of San Rocco: 15th century, single nave

• Cathedral Bell Tower: only remains of the ancient episcopal seat

• Porta Gradella: well-preserved southern access

• Wall circuit: remains of fortifications

5. Nature Trails

Diosilla Waterfall:

• Multicolored sulfurous waters

• Red trail well marked

• Wooden bridge and caves

Sulfataras:

• Bubbling pools of underground gases

• Mineral incrustations on rocks

• Specialized vegetation (Agrostis Albula)

The Cavone:

• Etruscan cutting carved in rock

• Ancient access road (not passable for safety)

🗺️ PRACTICAL INFORMATION

How to Get There from Viterbo

• SS675 southbound → Oriolo Romano exit

• Continue to Canale Monterano

• Time: about 45 minutes

• Final road: 2 km dirt road (passable with any car)

Parking and Access

Comunaletto Parking (recommended):

• Closest to the ruins (200m on foot)

• Direct access to the aqueduct

Diosilla Parking:

• For hiking enthusiasts

• Complete route: waterfall → sulfataras → ruins

• 3.5 km total

Hours and Costs

• Access: free and open 24h

• Animals: allowed on leash

• Difficulty: easy for families and children

• Visit time: 2-4 hours depending on itinerary

Services

• Picnic tables in the reserve

• Information point in Canale Monterano

• Guided tours by reservation

• Visitor center with informational materials

🔍 CURIOSITIES AND ANECDOTES

The Mystery of the Aqueduct

• Popular legend: built by the devil in one night

• Construction technique: stones fitted without mortar

• Historical reality: masterpiece of 17th-century hydraulic engineering

The Legendary Harvest

• Orsini era: Monterano wine celebrated throughout Italy

• Exceptional quality: "has no equal drink in all Italy"

• Limited production: reserved for few prelates

The Ghosts of Cinema

• The Marquis's fig tree: involuntary protagonist of cinema

• Natural set: no reconstruction necessary

• Cinematic continuity: from Ben-Hur to modern fiction

Nature Reclaiming

• Perfect balance: ruins and vegetation

• Fig in the church: symbol of natural rebirth

• Unique habitat: fauna living among historical ruins

📰 JOURNALISTIC ANGLES

For Tourist Audience

• "The Pompeii of Lazio": city crystallized in time

• Perfect weekend: nature, history and cinema

• Instagrammable: dream location for photographers

For History Enthusiasts

• The last Bernini: lesser-known works of the master

• 1799: terrible year: anti-French uprisings in Lazio

• Industrial archaeology: sulfur mines and extractive activities

For Film Buffs

• Hollywood in Tuscia: how Monterano conquered cinema

• Location scouting: behind the scenes of great films

• The actor fig tree: when nature becomes protagonist

For Naturalists

• Record biodiversity: record numbers in Lazio

• Rare ferns: hidden botanical jewels

• Volcanic ecosystem: life in the sulfataras