| Albano Laziale | |||
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| — Comune — | |||
| Comune di Albano Laziale | |||
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  Albano Laziale
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| Coordinates: 41°44′N 12°40′E / 41.733°N 12.667°ECoordinates: 41°44′N 12°40′E / 41.733°N 12.667°E | |||
| Country | Italy | ||
| Region | Lazio | ||
| Province | Rome | ||
| Frazioni | Cecchina, Pavona | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Marco Mattei (since 2003-04-03) | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 23.80 km2 (9.2 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 400 m (1,312 ft) | ||
| Population (30 November 2008) | |||
| - Total | 39,040 | ||
| - Density | 1,640.3/km2 (4,248.5/sq mi) | ||
| - Demonym | Albanensi or Albanesi | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Postal code | 00041 | ||
| Dialing code | 06 | ||
| Website | Official website | ||
Albano Laziale is a comune in the province of Rome, on the Alban Hills, in Latium, central Italy. It is also a suburb of Rome, which is 25 km distant. It is bounded by other communes of Castel Gandolfo, Rocca di Papa, Ariccia and Ardea.
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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 settlement, as is shown by the main streets, which still follow the ancient decumanus and cardo. Remains of the large baths built by Septimius' son, Caracalla, are still visible.
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 in 1170 the army of the Commune of Rome destroyed the town. Afterwards it became a possession of the Savelli family, who resided there until 1697: it was thereafter 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.
Main sights
- The Tomb of the Curiazi and Orazi at the Vth mile of Appian Way is a monumental construction of peperino stone, originally with five conical columns, of which only two are preserved.
- The Porta Praetoria (Pretorian Gate), the most important and impressive evidence of the encampment of the Parthian Legion (Legio II Parthica), known as the Castra Albana.
- St. Peter's Church
- Church of St Mary of the Star and catacombs. Inside is the tomb of Maria Theresa of Austria, Queen of the Two Sicilies. Beneath the church are the catacombs of Saint Senatore, a citizen of Albano, of the 3rd century, with frescos from the 5th/9th centuries.
- The well preserved Roman Amphitheatre (3rd century), with an elliptical plan.
- 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 those of Rome:
- Santa Maria della Rotonda, inspired by the Pantheon and built over the ruins of Domitian's villa. The belltowers are also very similar to those of Rome's medieval churches.
- St Paul's Church, constructed in 1282; here are kept the bones of Saint Gaspar del Bufalo.
- The large Albano Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Pancras, built in 1721.
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.
Twin towns
Białogard, Poland, since 2004- Koszalin, Poland, since 2004
Alytus, Lithuania, since 2004
Savelli, Italy
See also
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
