Don Alessandro Torlonia, of the House of Torlonia, was an Italian nobleman titled Duca di Ceri, Prince di Fucino. He was the second Prince of Civitella-Cesi, and the son of Giovanni Torlonia. He greatly expanded Villa Torlonia, which was started by his father.
He is notable for draining Fucine Lake in 1862 without regard to the cost.[1] According to the North Otago Times, it was common to hear in Rome:
"O Torlonia secca ll lago Fucino, o il lago Fucino secca Torlonia" — ("Either Torlonia will drain the Fucine lake, or the Fucine lake will drain Torlonia") --North Otago Times, Volume VIII, Issue 202, 30 April 1867, Page 3[2]
This action subsequently enabled Cerchio families to farm the lake bed's rich soils under the Torlonia Administration.
Alessandro was born in Rome on 1 January 1800. He married the princess Donna Teresa Colonna-Doria (Rome, 22 July 1823-Rome, 17 March 1875) in Rome on 16 July 1840.
Alessandro died in Rome on 7 February 1886. Upon his death, the title passed to Don Augusto Torlonia, 3rd Prince di Civitella Cesi, grandson of Alessandro's older brother, Giulio.