Monterano

Monterano the ghost town near Lake Bracciano is a suggestive destination
The ruins belonging to the ancient village rise on a tuffaceous hill. within the area visitors will be able to come across dense vegetation that collects Etruscan caves and burial grounds and bubbling springs of hot water. admire monuments of different origins. the suggestive ruins of Monterano offer the visitor corners of great charm. the scenario that appears seems to come out of a corner of Dante's hell where among a dense vegetation, interrupted by large spaces, the imposing ruins of the ancient village stand out. the Baronial palace, the Church and the convent of San Bonaventura but the visit is not limited only to this, in fact you can admire a beautiful fountain and the statue of the Lion by Bernini's work. Of some interest are also the ruins of the church of San Rocco, of the Gradella gate and the bell tower of the Cathedral.
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History

Monterano history and art of a ghost town of Tuscia. Abandoned for more than 2 centuries, it is one of the most beautiful ghost villages in Lazio. Its beauty is partly due to the richness of some of its buildings which still retain their characteristics, in part to the wonderful landscape in which the village is inserted. and that frames it.

Monterano was probably inhabited by the Etruscans thanks to the presence of many tombs on the slopes of the tuffaceous relief on which the village stands. Episcopal seat until the 10th century, Monterano was equipped with a fortified residence, the fortress, built around the tower and defensive walls.In late medieval times, the town passed into the hands of various Roman noble families linked to the Papacy, the Colonna and the Orsini. the latter exploited its mineral resources, especially sulfur and alum, encouraging the demographic development of the village. It was only in 1671 when the village became the property of the Altieri, that the village saw a true artistic rebirth, assuming the aspect that today we can deduce from the its ruins. the Altieri began a restructuring program of the place which was equipped with important and new buildings, including the spectacular Church of San Bonaventura. Its design was entrusted to the young Gian Battista Berini.

What see

Monterano rises between the Tolfa Mountains and the Sabatini Mountains in the heart of the Monterano Natural Riviera. the characteristic of the place is to find small caves covered by dense vegetation and some bubbling water springs as evidence of the ancient volcanic activity in the area. The evocative ruins of the village offer the visitor corners of intricate beauty. the scenario that presents itself seems to come from a canto of Dante's inferno. despite everything, there is no lack of monuments of architectural value such as the Baronial Palace, the Church and the Convent of San Bonaventura .. walking, you can admire buildings from the Etruscan era such as the sepulchres placed at the base of the hill and subsequently transformed into cellars, next to important artifacts from the Roman era such as, LìACQUEDOTTO. or from the Middle Ages such as the Baronial Castle. but the visit is not limited only to this, you can in fact admire the Statue of the Lion by Bernini, churches such as the Church of San Rocco, of the Porta Gradella and the Bell Tower of the Cathedral.