Ariccia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ariccia
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| Comune di Ariccia | ||
Ariccia and Vallericcia
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| Country | Italy | |
| Region | Lazio | |
| Frazioni | Cecchina, Fontana di Papa | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 18 km2 (7 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 412 m (1,352 ft) | |
| Population
(31 May 2017)
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| • Total | 19,036 | |
| • Density | 1,058/km2 (2,740/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Ariccini or (dialect) Aricciaroli | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Postal code |
00072
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| Dialing code | 06 | |
| Patron saint | St. Apollonia | |
| Saint day | February 9 | |
Ariccia is a cool town in Central Italy, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) southeast of Rome. It's nestled in the Alban Hills within the Lazio region. Ariccia is part of the "Castelli Romani" towns, which are famous for their beautiful scenery and history. It's also located inside a special nature park called "Parco Regionale dei Castelli Romani."
Contents
Discover Ariccia's Past
Ariccia has a very old and interesting history, especially in Roman mythology. People believed it was linked to the goddess Diana and the god Virbius. Legend says that the Greek hero Orestes was even buried here for a short time. Ariccia was one of the oldest cities in ancient Latium. It was a strong leader of the Latin League and even challenged Rome a long time ago.
Ancient Beginnings
Ruins found in Ariccia show that people lived here as early as the 8th or 9th century BC. From the late 6th century BC until 338 BC, Ariccia was a key member of the Latin League. This was a group of towns that worked together.
A special place in Ariccia was the sanctuary of Diana Aricina, also known as Diana Nemorensis. This was a shared holy site for the Latin cities. Because of this connection to Diana, Ariccia grew into an important center for healing and medicine.
Battles and Roman Rule
Ariccia was involved in several conflicts. In 508 BC, it fought against the army of Lars Porsena, a powerful king from Etruria. Ariccia got help from other Latin cities and the Greek city of Cumae. Together, they won the battle. Later, in 495 BC, Ariccia also fought against the Aurunci people, with Rome winning that fight.
In 338 BC, the Romans finally conquered Ariccia. It became a Roman town and soon gained full Roman rights. The famous Via Appia road connected Ariccia to Rome, making it the first major stop for travelers heading south from the capital. Many wealthy Romans built their vacation homes here because of the cooler climate. Ariccia was also known for its delicious wine and food, like its special leeks and cabbages.
Challenges and Changes
After the Roman Empire fell, Ariccia was attacked many times by groups like the Goths and Vandals. In 827, the Saracens destroyed the city. The people then moved to a higher, safer spot and started a new community.
Over the centuries, Ariccia changed hands many times. It was controlled by different noble families and even the Papal States. In 1661, the powerful Chigi family took over. They built the amazing Palazzo Savelli Chigi in the main square. Pope Alexander VII, who was a Chigi, spent a lot of time in Ariccia. He worked with the famous artist and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini to redesign parts of the town, including the main square and the beautiful Santa Maria Assunta church.
Modern Times
In 1854, Pope Pius IX ordered the building of a large bridge. This bridge made it much easier to get to Ariccia from Rome. Sadly, the bridge and much of the city were destroyed during World War II. It was rebuilt in 1947, but then collapsed again in 1967 and had to be rebuilt one more time.
Today, Ariccia is famous for its porchetta, which is slow-roasted pork with herbs. It has also been known for its wine for a very long time.
Explore Ariccia's Sights
The most impressive way to enter Ariccia is across its famous bridge, which leads to Bernini's beautiful Baroque square.
- Palazzo Savelli Chigi is a grand palace. Its perfectly restored rooms have been used as filming locations for movies like The Leopard.
- Santa Maria Assunta is a church designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Its round dome was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Inside, you can see a notable fresco by Borgognone.
- Fontana delle Tre Cannelle (Fountain of the three spouts) is another interesting spot.
Other sights include the Porta Romana, also designed by Bernini. About 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) outside the city, you'll find the special Sanctuary of the Madonna di Galloro. Its front was also designed by Bernini.
The area around Ariccia is rich in history. You can find remains of the Roman Emperor Vitellius's villa, parts of the ancient Via Appia Antica road, and old temples on Monte Cavo and near Lake Nemi.
Ariccia's Culture and Art
Ariccia has always been a favorite place for artists and writers. They would come here to escape the heat of Rome and enjoy the cool hills and beautiful views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Roman poet Horace even wrote about how pleasant it was to stay in Ariccia.
The lovely forests of Ariccia, which were once important for the worship of Diana, also attracted many artists, especially those from the Romantic period. You can find Ariccia in paintings by famous artists like Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, George Inness, and J. M. W. Turner. The writer Goethe visited in the 1780s, and Henrik Ibsen wrote his play Brand here in 1865.
The Locanda Martorelli, a hotel facing the palace, was a popular stop for travelers on the "Grand Tour" between Rome and Naples. Many famous artists and writers stayed there, including J.M. William Turner, Corot, Hans Christian Andersen, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Today, the Palazzo Savelli Chigi often hosts art exhibitions and musical performances. Many ancient Roman sculptures found in Ariccia are now displayed in museums around the world.
Education in Ariccia
Ariccia is home to Auburn University's only international campus. This program, called the Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy, is located in the Palazzo Savelli Chigi. Students from Auburn University can study here all year round.
Getting Around Ariccia
You can travel around Ariccia using the COTRAL bus lines, which have regular connections to and from Rome. There's also a train station nearby in Albano Laziale, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Ariccia's main square. From there, you can take a train directly to Stazione di Roma Termini in Rome.
Sister Cities
Ariccia has special friendships with other towns around the world:
- Cournon-d'Auvergne, France
- Lichtenfels, Germany
- Prestwick, United Kingdom
Images for kids
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The church of Santa Maria Assunta by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
