Albano Laziale
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Comune di Albano Laziale | |
|---|---|
 Municipal coat of arms |
|
| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Lazio |
| Province | Rome |
| Mayor | Marco Mattei (since 2003-04-03) |
| Elevation | 400 m (1,312 ft) |
| Area | 23.80 km² (9 sq mi) |
| Population (as of December 31, 2004) | |
| - Total | 38,258 |
| - Density | 1,607/km² (4,162/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET, UTC+1 |
| Coordinates | |
| Gentilic | Albanensi |
| Dialing code | 06 |
| Postal code | 00041 |
| Frazioni | Cecchina, Pavona |
| Website: www.comune.albanolaziale.roma.it | |
Albano Laziale is a commune in the province of Rome, on the Alban Hills, in Lazio (Latium). It is also a suburb of Rome, which is 25 km distant. It is bounded by other communes of Rome, Castel Gandolfo, Rocca di Papa, Ariccia and Ardea.
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[edit] History
Albano is located in the area in which, according to the legend, Aeneas's son, Ascanius, founded Alba Longa. Today the coat of arms of Albano still sport the white (Latin: Alba) boar dreamt by Ascanius before the founding of the city. Alba Longa was one of the main cities of the Latins and, again according to the legend, the birthplace of Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of Rome.
Alba Longa acquired importance when the Appian Way was built nearby, and the Romans built numerous villas in the area. One of the most magnificent was that of emperor Domitian. In the 3rd century emperor Septimius Severus had a military camp, called Castra Albana,(Albano Barracks) built nearby to house a Roman legion of the central army reserve. It was an important military city that extended from the top of the hills descending to the Appian Way.
Today's Albano developed from this settlements, as it is showed the main streets, which still follow the ancient decumanus and cardo. Remains of the large baths built by Septimius' son, Caracalla, are still visibile.
During the Early Middle Ages the city was abandoned, regaining importance only in the 12th century for its strategic position across the Appian Way, but on 1170 the Commune of Rome Army destroyed the town. After it became a possession of the Savelli family, who resided there until 1697: it was thenceforth a Papal possession, the Popes maintaining today a villa in the communal territory.
In the 18th century Albano became the summer residence of numerous Roman families, and the population increased substantially.
[edit] Main sights
2008
- The Tomb of the Curiazi and Orazi at Vth mile of Appian Way is a monumental construction of peperino stone, in original with five conical columns, only two preserved.
- The Pretorian Gate, it is the most important and impressive evidence of the encampment of the Parthian Legion (Legio II Parthica).
- The St Peter Church
- The Church of the St Mary of the star and Catacombs. Inside there is the tomb of Maria Theresa of Austria Queen of the two Sicilies. Under the temple there are the catacombs of St Senatore a citizen of Albano, 3rd century, with frescos from the 5th/9th centuries.
- The Roman Amphitheatre, 3rd century, elliptical plan, well preserved.
- The Cisternone, a monumental cistern carved in the rock, constructed by order of Septimius Severus.
During the Papal domination Albano received numerous churches, often modelled on the Rome's ones:
- Santa Maria della Rotonda, inspired to the Pantheon and built over the ruins of Domitian villa. The belltowers are also very similar to those of Rome's medieval churches.
- St Paul's Church constructed in 1282, here are conserved the bones of St Gaspare del Bufalo.
- The large Cathedral of Saint Pancras was built in 1721.
[edit] Transportation
Public transportation is provided by the region's COTRAL bus lines, with regular bus connections to and from Rome. There is nearby train service directly to Stazione di Roma Termini from Albano Laziale.
