Velitrae

Physical geography

The territory of Velletri stretches between two distinct areas. The northern part is situated on the southern foothills of the Colli Albani range and was geologically formed about 150,000 years ago, after the collapse of the Volcano Laziale (caldera). On the other hand, the southern boundary forms around Pontine Marshes, whose reclamation started at the time of Pope Pius VI and was accomplished during the regime of Benito Mussolini.

According to the classification given by the Geological Survey of Italy, much of the territory consists of ground-type LPS, or paleosols, the rest is mainly composed of soils lp, lapilli, argillificate, Mafic, and leucite analcimizzata.

The Seismic classification of Velletri's territory is Zone 2 (medium-high seismicity).

The territory of Velletri collects water run off from many streams. These streams, most of them torrential in character or small in scale, are known as fossi. Main fossi include:

Fosso Minella at the edge of the municipal area to Genzano di Roma, near the Velletri frazione of Sant'Eurosia. This stream originates from Monte Spina, elevation 731 metres (2,398 ft) above sea level, in the territory of Nemi, with the name of Acqua Lucia. It is named after the Minella bridge on State Road 7, Via Appia Nuova and originates at 405 metres (1,329 ft) above sea level, at the foot of Colle degli Olmi. Minella also runs parallel to the fosso delle Tre Armi, which then connects to it.

Fossa Sant'Eurosia, originating from Colle degli Olmi; it goes through the village of the same name, located at 238 metres (781 ft) above sea level.

Fossa Paganica, which originates from springs on Colle Caldaro (467 m), and on Colle Tondo (596 m).

Fosso di Ponte Veloce, which arises from Colle Tondo, on Maschio dell'Artemisio (812 m) and in the Faccialone forest (615 m). This watercourse near Villa Borgia, superseded the old town of Velletri, changes name to Fossa Farina near the iron bridge of the Roma-Velletri railway.

Fossa Anatolia: originating from Colle Bello (600 m), it flows at the foot of old town Velletri, until it joins the Fossa Farina. …

History

During his reign (642–617 BC), Ancus Marcius, the fourth king of Rome, came into conflict with the Volsci because the latter plundered Roman territory. He besieged the Velitrae, which was a Volscian town. The elders of the town surrendered and promised "to make good the damage they had done" and "agreed to deliver up the guilty to be punished". Ancus Marcius "concluded a treaty of peace and friendship".

In 494 BC, a war between Rome and the Volsci broke out. The Roman consul Aulus Verginius Tricostus Caeliomontanus was sent to fight the Volsci. He defeated them and " pursued their enemies beyond it to Velitrae, where vanquished and victors burst into the city in one body. More blood was shed there, in the promiscuous slaughter of all sorts of people, than had been in the battle itself. A very few were granted quarter, having come without arms and given themselves up." The Volsci "were deprived of the Veliternian land; colonists were sent from [Rome] to Velitrae and a colony was planted". In 492 BC, while the Volsci were affected by an epidemic, "the Romans increased the number of colonists at Velitrae and sent out a new colony to Norba, in the mountains, as a stronghold for the Pomptine country", which was a Volscian area near Velitrae. According to Diodorus Siculus, "the Romans increased the number of colonists in the city known as Velitrae" in 404 BC. …

Main sights

The Velletri Cathedral or Cathedral of St Clement was erected in the 4th century over the ruins of a pagan temple. It has three naves and was rebuilt in the current form in 1659–1662. The Renaissance portal is by Traiano da Palestrina (1512). The interior has several frescoes, while the Capitular Museum houses important relics, vessels and paintings including works by Gentile da Fabriano and Antoniazzo Romano.

The Bell tower of Santa Maria in Trivio (Trivium), erected in 1353 in Lombard-Gothic style, in gratitude for the liberation of the city from a plague that devastated it in 1348. Symbol of the city.

Holy Savior church

San Michele Arcangelo: A church at the site was built atop a pagan temple dedicated to Mars

Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini fountain, built in 1612 to a design of the architect Massimiliano Bruni. Its travertine fountain depicts mythological scenes; …