Castelli Romani” (Roman Castles) Are a Group of Towns in the Province of Rome

EUROPE ITALY GENZANO DI ROMA LAZIO The “Castelli Romani” (Roman Castles) are a group of towns in the province of Rome. The area of the “Castelli” occupies a volcanic and fertile area characterized by ancient settlements and flourishing agriculture. The old crater is now occupied by two lakes, Lake Nemi and Lake Albano. The recent name Roman Castles derives from the villages built around some villas and palaces where rich noble families spent the summer. The “Castelli Romani” are: •Albano Laziale •Ariccia •Castel Gandolfo •Colonna •Frascati •Genzano di Roma •Grottaferrata •Lanuvio •Lariano •Marino •Monte Compatri •Monte Porzio Catone •Nemi •Rocca di Papa •Rocca Priora •Velletri EVENTS “CASTELLI ROMANI” PARK HISTORICAL GEOLOGICAL INFORMATION INFORMATION UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL: LICEO SCIENTIFICO “GIOVANNI VAILATI” ““CASTELLICASTELLI ROMANIROMANI”” REGIONALREGIONAL PARKPARK Genzano and its surroundings are included in the area of the “Castelli Romani” Regional Park . The chestnut is the most important tree in our area. The holm-oak tree is very important, too. Genzano’s events Here’s a short guide that makes you discover Genzano’s traditions. The “Infiorata” The most important attraction is the “Infiorata”, a folkloristic and religious exhibition known all over the world. The “Infiorata” has taken place on Sunday following Corpus Domini since 1778. It consists of a huge flower carpet divided into many images that covers the street that joins the cathedral with the main square. Many famous artists have contributed to the “Infiorata”. A masked parade walk on the flower carpet. The people wear traditional clothes that date back to the 17th century. At least 350,000 flower petals, in addition to earth, beans and sometimes wood cuttings, are necessary to make the carpet. Here are some preparatory phases: the picking of flowers (“spelluccamento”) … … the drawing of the sketches on the street and the placing of the petals on the sketches. The Feast of Bread This feast started in 1989 and is organized by the Town Hall of Genzano di Roma. It promotes one of the most representative products of the town on both national and international level. “Castelli Animati” The “Castelli Animati”, an International Cartoon Festival, started in 1996 and since then has become the most important event of this kind in Italy. Every year it presents the best cartoon productions in the world. The competitions are the heart of this event. The festival is organized by a pool of “Castelli Romani” companies. Some geological information... The area of the Alban Hills is particularly young because it has origin from a volcano, called “Vulcano Laziale”. 700,000 years ago 500,000 years ago 270,000 years ago 60,000 years ago Some historical information... The Alban Hills, once covered with forests, was a suitable area for human settlements. The Latins developed the cults of Jupiter Latiaris, Diana Nemorensis and Juno Sospes. Diana Nemorensis Juno sospes Great figures of Ancient Roman political life, like Cicero, Pompeius and Claudius, built their villas in this area. Pompeius’ villa Cicero’s villa THE ROMAN SHIPS MUSEUM In the museum you can see the model of two luxurious and large ships built by the Roman emperor Caligula in the first century AD. Two are the hypotheses of the historians: either he organized parties in the ships or they were two temples in honour of the goddess Diana. Unfortunately, the ships were plundered and set on fire by the Germans in the Second World War..

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