Alatri
Encyclopedia
Alatri is a town and comune
of province of Frosinone
in the Italian
region of the Lazio, with c. 30,000 inhabitants. A part of the traditional region of Ciociaria
, it is famous for its megalith
ic acropolis
.
Aletrium was a town of the Hernici
which, together with Veroli
, Anagni
and Ferentino
formed a defensive League against the Volsci
and the Samnites around 550 BC. In 530 they allied with Tarquinius Superbus' Rome, confirming the Etruscan influence in the area attested also by archaeological findings. Alatri was defeated by Rome in 306 BC and forced to accept the citizenship. In Cicero
's time it was a municipium
(in an ancient coat of arms we can read 'S.P.Q.A.'), and continued in this position throughout the imperial period.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire
, the city decayed, the only respected authority being represented by the Christian bishop. During the reign of Theodoric the Great
(5th century AD) the patrician Liberius
promoted the construction of a monastic community, one of the most ancient in the West, where in 528 St. Benedict sojourned briefly. In 543, during the Gothic Wars, Alatri was sacked and destroyed by Totila
's troops.
In the 12th century the city became an important stronghold of the popes when they were obliged to leave the then unsafe Rome. In the following century it became a free commune, although under the authority of the bishops and the pope, governed by consul
s until 1241, when a podestà
was introduced. In the following centuries it flourished economically and expanded, conquering Collepardo
, Guarcino
, Trivigliano
, Vico
and Frosinone
, though often hampered by inner strifes. In the 15th century Alatri started to lose its freedom, due to the involvements of Ladislaus of Naples and Pope Martin V
. After the short seigniory of Filippo Maria Visconti
in 1434, the city had to accept the Papal suzerainty.
Struggles with the neighbouring communes continued, and in 1556 it was occupied by Spanish soldiers. During the Roman Republic, it remained loyal to the Pope. During the Napoleonic occupation (1809–1814) numerous members of the papal administration, as well as bishop Giuseppe della Casa, were deported to France. It became part of Italy in 1870.
During World War II
it suffered heavy destructions and human victims.
well jointed. It is almost entirely an embanking wall, as is the rule in the cities of this part of Italy, with a maximum height, probably, of about 9 m. Two of the gates (of the perhaps five once existing) are still to some extent preserved, and three postern
s are to be found.
In the centre of the city rises a hill which was adopted as the citadel. Remains of the fortifications of three successive periods can be traced, of which the last, perhaps a little more recent than that of the city wall, is the best preserved. In the first two periods the construction is rough, while in the third the blocks are very well jointed, and the faces smoothed; they are mostly polygonal in form and are much larger (the maximum about 3 by 2 m) than those of the city wall. A flat surface was formed partly by smoothing off the rock and partly by the erection of huge terrace walls which rise to a height of over 15 m, enclosing a roughly rectangular area of 220 by 100 m. Two approaches to the citadel were constructed, both passing through the wall; the openings of both are rectangular. The architrave
of the larger, known as Porta Maggiore, measures about 5 m in length, 1.5 m in height, 1.8 m in thickness; while that of the smaller is decorated with three phalli
in relief. Later, though probably in ancient times, a ramp was added on the northern side. In the centre of the arx was a building on the site of the present cathedral, of which only a small portion is preserved. Remains of a high-pressure aqueduct
, which supplied the town with water and was constructed with other public buildings by L. Betilienus Varus, may still be traced. A temple was excavated in 1889 a few miles to the north of the town, and many fragments of the painted terracottas with which it was decorated were found. A reconstruction of it has been erected in the National Etruscan Museum
at Rome.
In the neighbourhood are:
, Italy
Pietrelcina
, Italy Ness Ziona
, Israel
Clisson
, France
, since 2000 Saint-Lumine-de-Clisson
, France, since 2000 Gétigné
, France, since 2003 Gorges
, France, since 2003 Dirfys
, Greece
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
of province of Frosinone
Province of Frosinone
The Province of Frosinone is a province in the Lazio region of Italy, with 91 comuni . Its capital is the city of Frosinone. It has an area of 3,244 km², and a total population of 489,042 .The Province was established by Royal Decree on 6 December 1926 with territories belonging to Lazio...
in the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
region of the Lazio, with c. 30,000 inhabitants. A part of the traditional region of Ciociaria
Ciociaria
Ciociaria is the name of a traditional region of Central Italy without a defined border nor historical identity. The name was adopted by a fascist movement of Frosinone as an ethnical denomination for the province of Frosinone, when it was created in 1927....
, it is famous for its megalith
Megalith
A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement.The word 'megalith' comes from the Ancient...
ic acropolis
Acropolis
Acropolis means "high city" in Greek, literally city on the extremity and is usually translated into English as Citadel . For purposes of defense, early people naturally chose elevated ground to build a new settlement, frequently a hill with precipitous sides...
.
History
The area of the modern city was settled as early as the 2nd millennium BC.Aletrium was a town of the Hernici
Hernici
The Hernici were an ancient people of Italy, whose territory was in Latium between the Lago di Fucino and the Sacco River , bounded by the Volsci on the south, and by the Aequi and the Marsi on the north....
which, together with Veroli
Veroli
-History:Veroli became a Roman municipium in 90 BCE. It became the seat of a bishopric in 743 CE, and was occupied by Spanish milices, allied to the Colonna family, in the 16th troops.-Main sights:...
, Anagni
Anagni
Anagni is an ancient town and comune in Latium, central Italy, in the hills east-southeast of Rome. It is a historical center in Ciociaria.-Geography:...
and Ferentino
Ferentino
Ferentino is a town and comune in Italy, in the province of Frosinone, Lazio, 65 km southeast of Rome.It is situated on a hill 400 m above sea-level, in the Monti Ernici area.-History:...
formed a defensive League against the Volsci
Volsci
The Volsci were an ancient Italic people, well known in the history of the first century of the Roman Republic. They then inhabited the partly hilly, partly marshy district of the south of Latium, bounded by the Aurunci and Samnites on the south, the Hernici on the east, and stretching roughly from...
and the Samnites around 550 BC. In 530 they allied with Tarquinius Superbus' Rome, confirming the Etruscan influence in the area attested also by archaeological findings. Alatri was defeated by Rome in 306 BC and forced to accept the citizenship. In Cicero
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief...
's time it was a municipium
Municipium
Municipium , the prototype of English municipality, was the Latin term for a town or city. Etymologically the municipium was a social contract between municipes, the "duty holders," or citizens of the town. The duties, or munera, were a communal obligation assumed by the municipes in exchange for...
(in an ancient coat of arms we can read 'S.P.Q.A.'), and continued in this position throughout the imperial period.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire
Western Roman Empire
The Western Roman Empire was the western half of the Roman Empire after its division by Diocletian in 285; the other half of the Roman Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire, commonly referred to today as the Byzantine Empire....
, the city decayed, the only respected authority being represented by the Christian bishop. During the reign of Theodoric the Great
Theodoric the Great
Theodoric the Great was king of the Ostrogoths , ruler of Italy , regent of the Visigoths , and a viceroy of the Eastern Roman Empire...
(5th century AD) the patrician Liberius
Liberius
The name Liberius may refer to:* Liberius of Ravenna , Bishop of Ravenna and saint* Pope Liberius , European religious leader* Liberius , Roman government administrator...
promoted the construction of a monastic community, one of the most ancient in the West, where in 528 St. Benedict sojourned briefly. In 543, during the Gothic Wars, Alatri was sacked and destroyed by Totila
Totila
Totila, original name Baduila was King of the Ostrogoths from 541 to 552 AD. A skilled military and political leader, Totila reversed the tide of Gothic War, recovering by 543 almost all the territories in Italy that the Eastern Roman Empire had captured from his Kingdom in 540.A relative of...
's troops.
Consul
Consul was the highest elected office of the Roman Republic and an appointive office under the Empire. The title was also used in other city states and also revived in modern states, notably in the First French Republic...
s until 1241, when a podestà
Podestà
Podestà is the name given to certain high officials in many Italian cities, since the later Middle Ages, mainly as Chief magistrate of a city state , but also as a local administrator, the representative of the Emperor.The term derives from the Latin word potestas, meaning power...
was introduced. In the following centuries it flourished economically and expanded, conquering Collepardo
Collepardo
Collepardo is a comune in the Province of Frosinone in the Italian region Lazio, located about 70 km east of Rome and about 15 km north of Frosinone...
, Guarcino
Guarcino
Guarcino is a comune in the Province of Frosinone in the Italian region Lazio, located about 70 km east of Rome and about 20 km north of Frosinone in the Monti Ernici area.-History:...
, Trivigliano
Trivigliano
Trivigliano is a comune in the Province of Frosinone in the Italian region Lazio, located about 60 km east of Rome and about 20 km northwest of Frosinone, in the Monti Ernici area...
, Vico
Vico nel Lazio
Vico nel Lazio is a comune in the Province of Frosinone in the Italian region Lazio, located about 70 km east of Rome and about 15 km north of Frosinone....
and Frosinone
Frosinone
Frosinone is a town and comune in Lazio, central Italy, the administrative seat of the Province of Frosinone. It is located about 75 km south-east of Rome close to the Rome-Naples Autostrada A1...
, though often hampered by inner strifes. In the 15th century Alatri started to lose its freedom, due to the involvements of Ladislaus of Naples and Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V , born Odo Colonna, was Pope from 1417 to 1431. His election effectively ended the Western Schism .-Biography:...
. After the short seigniory of Filippo Maria Visconti
Filippo Maria Visconti
Filippo Maria Visconti was ruler of Milan from 1412 to 1447.-Biography:Filippo Maria Visconti, who had become nominal ruler of Pavia in 1402, succeeded his assassinated brother Gian Maria Visconti as Duke of Milan in 1412. They were the sons of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Gian Maria's predecessor, by...
in 1434, the city had to accept the Papal suzerainty.
Struggles with the neighbouring communes continued, and in 1556 it was occupied by Spanish soldiers. During the Roman Republic, it remained loyal to the Pope. During the Napoleonic occupation (1809–1814) numerous members of the papal administration, as well as bishop Giuseppe della Casa, were deported to France. It became part of Italy in 1870.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
it suffered heavy destructions and human victims.
Ancient remains
Alatri has well preserved fortifications constructed of tetrahedral and polygonal blocks of local limestoneLimestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
well jointed. It is almost entirely an embanking wall, as is the rule in the cities of this part of Italy, with a maximum height, probably, of about 9 m. Two of the gates (of the perhaps five once existing) are still to some extent preserved, and three postern
Postern
A postern is a secondary door or gate, particularly in a fortification such as a city wall or castle curtain wall. Posterns were often located in a concealed location, allowing the occupants to come and go inconspicuously. In the event of a siege, a postern could act as a sally port, allowing...
s are to be found.
In the centre of the city rises a hill which was adopted as the citadel. Remains of the fortifications of three successive periods can be traced, of which the last, perhaps a little more recent than that of the city wall, is the best preserved. In the first two periods the construction is rough, while in the third the blocks are very well jointed, and the faces smoothed; they are mostly polygonal in form and are much larger (the maximum about 3 by 2 m) than those of the city wall. A flat surface was formed partly by smoothing off the rock and partly by the erection of huge terrace walls which rise to a height of over 15 m, enclosing a roughly rectangular area of 220 by 100 m. Two approaches to the citadel were constructed, both passing through the wall; the openings of both are rectangular. The architrave
Architrave
An architrave is the lintel or beam that rests on the capitals of the columns. It is an architectural element in Classical architecture.-Classical architecture:...
of the larger, known as Porta Maggiore, measures about 5 m in length, 1.5 m in height, 1.8 m in thickness; while that of the smaller is decorated with three phalli
Phallus
A phallus is an erect penis, a penis-shaped object such as a dildo, or a mimetic image of an erect penis. Any object that symbolically resembles a penis may also be referred to as a phallus; however, such objects are more often referred to as being phallic...
in relief. Later, though probably in ancient times, a ramp was added on the northern side. In the centre of the arx was a building on the site of the present cathedral, of which only a small portion is preserved. Remains of a high-pressure aqueduct
Aqueduct
An aqueduct is a water supply or navigable channel constructed to convey water. In modern engineering, the term is used for any system of pipes, ditches, canals, tunnels, and other structures used for this purpose....
, which supplied the town with water and was constructed with other public buildings by L. Betilienus Varus, may still be traced. A temple was excavated in 1889 a few miles to the north of the town, and many fragments of the painted terracottas with which it was decorated were found. A reconstruction of it has been erected in the National Etruscan Museum
National Etruscan Museum
The National Etruscan Museum is a museum of the Etruscan civilization housed in the Villa Giulia in Rome, Italy.-History:The villa was built by the popes and remained their property until 1870 when, in the wake of the Risorgimento and the demise of the Papal States, it became the property of the...
at Rome.
Other
- The Cathedral of San PaoloAlatri CathedralAlatri Cathedral, otherwise the Basilica of Saint Paul is the principal church of Alatri, Lazio, Italy. It is dedicated to Saint Paul. It was formerly the cathedral of the Diocese of Alatri, and since 30 September 1986 has been a co-cathedral of the Diocese of Anagni-Alatri...
, known from 930, has CosmatesqueCosmatesqueCosmatesque, or Cosmati, is a style of geometric decorative inlay stonework typical of Medieval Italy, and especially of Rome and its surroundings. It was used most extensively for the decoration of church floors, but was also used to decorate church walls, pulpits, and bishop's thrones...
decorations (1222), although the external appearance is from a late–18th-century restoration. The interior is on the Greek cross plan, with a long transeptTranseptFor the periodical go to The Transept.A transept is a transverse section, of any building, which lies across the main body of the building. In Christian churches, a transept is an area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform building in Romanesque and Gothic Christian church architecture...
. It houses a piece of human flesh, the so-called Ostia Incarnata which, according to tradition, has turned into flesh in the late 13th century. - Collegiata of Santa Maria Maggiore, probably built in the 5th century over a temple of VenusVenus (mythology)Venus is a Roman goddess principally associated with love, beauty, sex,sexual seduction and fertility, who played a key role in many Roman religious festivals and myths...
. First mentioned in 1137, it was restored in RomanesqueRomanesque artRomanesque art refers to the art of Western Europe from approximately 1000 AD to the rise of the Gothic style in the 13th century, or later, depending on region. The preceding period is increasingly known as the Pre-Romanesque...
times and largely rebuilt in the 13th century by craftsmen from Burgundy. The façade has a very large 14th-century rose windowRose windowA Rose window is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window, but is especially used for those found in churches of the Gothic architectural style and being divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery...
. The three gates have frescoed lunetteLunetteIn architecture, a lunette is a half-moon shaped space, either filled with recessed masonry or void. A lunette is formed when a horizontal cornice transects a round-headed arch at the level of the imposts, where the arch springs. If a door is set within a round-headed arch, the space within the...
s with, in the central one, a Madonna with Child from the late 14th century. The bell tower was added in 1394; until an earthquake in 1654, it had a cusp cover. The sober interior has a nave and two aisles divided by robust pilasters, with an inner narthexNarthexThe narthex of a church is the entrance or lobby area, located at the end of the nave, at the far end from the church's main altar. Traditionally the narthex was a part of the church building, but was not considered part of the church proper...
. The left chapels are from modern restorations. Among the artwork housed in the church, a Constantinopolis Madonna (13th century), the Redeemer Tryptych by Antonio di Alatri, a Madonna with Child and St. Salvatore (early 15th century). - Church of San Francesco, built by the FranciscanFranciscanMost Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
s in the late 13th century. It is a compact edifice in GothicGothic architectureGothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style, with original gate and rose window similar to that of Santa Maria Maggiore. The interior has a single nave and Baroque decoration. It houses a famous Deposition of Neapolitan school (17th century), and partly ruined 15th century frescoes. The most striking feature is however the relic of part of St. FrancisFrancis of AssisiSaint Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. St...
' mantle, donated by the saint himself to the city in 1222. - Church of Santo Stefano (c. 1000). Of the original edifice only the main portal remains.
- Church of San Silvestro (10th-11th centuries). It has two naves, the second added in 1331. The simple and evocative interior houses a precious fresco depicting St. Sylvester and the Dragon (12th century). The crypt (9th century) has a fresco of a Blessing Saint in Byzantine style.
- Chiesa degli Scolopi (1734–1745)
- The massive Gottifredo Palace (mid-13th century), the residence of the powerful feudatary cardinal Gottifredo di Raynaldo from Alatri. It is formed by two towerhouses in different styles. It houses the Town Museum.
- The Public Records Office. Located in the Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore. Houses all public records including Births, Deaths and Marriages for the city going back to the 18th century.
In the neighbourhood are:
- The Castle of Osteria di Alatri, also known as La Grancia di Tecchiena.
- The Badia di San Sebastiano, built in the 6th century by LiberiusLiberiusThe name Liberius may refer to:* Liberius of Ravenna , Bishop of Ravenna and saint* Pope Liberius , European religious leader* Liberius , Roman government administrator...
. - Chiesa delle XII Marie ("Church of the 12 Marys"), a small church from the early 15th century, with interesting frescoes of Saint by Antonio da Alatri
Rioni
Alatri is divide into the following rioni (quarters):- Civette
- Colle
- Fiorenza
- Piagge
- Portadini
- San Simeone
- Santa Lucia
- Sant'Anna
- Sant'Andrea
- Scurano
- Spidini
- Valle
- Vineri
Frazioni
Chiappitto, Pacciano, Porpuro, Valle Santa Maria, Carvarola, Capranica, Fontana Vecchia, Maddalena, Piedimonte, Madonna delle Grazie, Melegranate, Montecapraro, Vignola, Valle Carchera, Montesantangelo, Montelarena, Pezza, Allegra, Basciano, Pignano, Castello, Collefreddo, Madonna del Pianto, Montelungo, Montereo, Monte San Marino, Pezzelle, Preturo, Sant'Antimo, San Valentino, Vallecupa, Vallefredda, Valle Pantano, Vallesacco, Valle S.Matteo, Villa Magna, Cassiano, Castagneto, Fraschette, Seritico, Santa Caterina, Vicero, Aiello, Canarolo, Collelavena, Costa San Vincenzo, Maranillo, Cavariccio, Colletraiano, Imbratto, Piano, S. Colomba, Scopigliette, Cucuruzzavolo, le Grotte, Magione, Mole Santa Maria, San Pancrazio, Vallemiccina, Sant'Emidio, Canale, Prati Giuliani, Quarticciolo, Quarti di Tecchiena, Tecchiena, Campello, Mole Bisleti, Cuione, Fontana Santo Stefano, Fontana Sistiliana, Frittola, S. Manno, Arillette, Collecuttrino, Colle del Papa, Laguccio, Montelena, Quercia d'Orlando, San Mattia, Carano, Fontana Scurano, Magliano, Cellerano, Fiume, Fiura, Fontana Santa, Riano, Abbadia, Case Paolone, Fontana Sambuco, Gaudo, Intignano, Colleprata.Sister cities
AlifeAlife
-Other uses:* Artificial life* Artificial Life, Inc., , a mobile content and technology provider...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Pietrelcina
Pietrelcina
Pietrelcina is a town and comune in the province of Benevento in the Campania region of southern Italy. It is the birthplace of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina .-Geography:Benevento, Paduli, Pago Veiano and Pesco Sannita are neighbouring towns....
, Italy Ness Ziona
Ness Ziona
Ness Ziona is a city in central Israel founded in 1883. At the end of 2009 the city had a total population of 38,100, and its jurisdiction was 15,579 dunams.-Nahalat Reuben:...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
Clisson
Clisson
Clisson , is a commune in the Loire-Atlantique département in western France.It is situated at the confluence of the Sèvre Nantaise and the Moine southeast of Nantes ....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, since 2000 Saint-Lumine-de-Clisson
Saint-Lumine-de-Clisson
Saint-Lumine-de-Clisson is a commune in the Loire-Atlantique department in western France.-References:*...
, France, since 2000 Gétigné
Gétigné
Gétigné is a commune in the Loire-Atlantique department in western France.-See also:*Communes of the Loire-Atlantique department...
, France, since 2003 Gorges
Gorges
Gorges, the plural of the French word for "throat", usually refers to a canyon.Gorges is the name or part of the name of several communes in France:* Gorges, in the Loire-Atlantique département* Gorges, in the Manche département...
, France, since 2003 Dirfys
Dirfys
Dirfys is a former municipality in Euboea, Greece, named after the mountain Dirfys. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Dirfys-Messapia, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 7,308 . The seat of the municipality was in Steni....
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....