Genzano di Roma

Infobox CityIT
img_coa =genzanodiroma-Stemma.gif
official_name = Comune di Genzano di Roma
region = Lazio
province = Rome
elevation_m = 435
area_total_km2 = 18
name=Genzano di Roma
mapx=41.83|mapy=12.7
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 21564
population_density_km2 = 1203
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|41|42|N|12|41|E
frazioni = Landi, Muti
telephone = 06
postalcode = 00045
gentilic = Genzanesi
saint = St. Thomas of Villanova
day =
mayor = Enzo Ercolani (since May 2006)
website = [http://www.comune.genzanodiroma.roma.it/]

Genzano di Roma is a town and commune in the province of Rome, in the Lazio region of central Italy. It is one of the Castelli Romani, at a distance of 29 km from Rome, on the Alban Hills.

History

The origin of the name "Genzano" is still disputed. According to a version, the hill overlooking the Lake of Nemi on which the city is situated was once devoted to the goddess Cynthia, whose cult was associated to that of "Diana Nemorensis". Another version relates its origin to the Gentiani family. For others the presence on the hills, at that time of the "tribus or gens Cynthia" originators and custodians of the cult of courage, in "Castrum Gentianum" from them the derivation of the name Genzano.

In the 12th century a tower of the Gandolfi family, lord of Castel Gandolfo, existed in the site. In 1183 Pope Lucius III gave it to the Cistercian monks of St. Anastasius of "Aquae Salviae" in Rome. In 1235 they edificated a large castle around which the town later grew. In 1378 the Popes assigned it to Giordano Orsini. The Cistercians and the Colonna alternatively ruled Genzano until 1563, when the castle was ceded for 150,000 scudos to the Massimi, from which it was bought by Giuliano Cesarini.

Livia Cesarini, last exponent of the family and wife of Francesco II Sforza, together architect Giovanni Iacobini, designed and edificated Genzano Nuova ("New Genzano") in 1708, according to the then most modern urban plannings of that time, but they were poets because the town plan of Genzano was designed by a poet rather than an engineer.

In 1843 Lorenzo Sforza Cesarini restored the famous delightfull "Olmate" dedicated they to his wife Earl Ferrer Caroline Shirley [The Duchess Sforza-Cesarini story is narrated in the book of T.R. Potter - Walks around Loughborough - London 1840] (1819 - 1897), and planted the English garden in the park (1847 - 1857).

In the 19th and early 20th century it was seat of numerous peasant revolts; during World War II it suffered heavy damage under Allied bombings, with 90% of the edifices destroyed.

(1)The story of the Duchess Sforza-Cesarini family is narrated in the book of Thomas Rossell Potter - Walks around Loughborough - London 1840

Main sights

* The baronal Palace Sforza Cesarini;
* The English garden of Palace Sforza Cesarini;
* The Church of St Mary of the Cappuccines;
* The artistic fountain of St Sebastian;
* The Cathedral St Mary of the Hilltop;

"Infiorata" Feast

In June, a great folkloristic and religious exhibition, the "Infiorata". A street of the old town is covered with allegorical carpets of flowers and a masked parade walk on these, with medieval and traditional clothes realized by town's women. More than 2 centuries (from 1778) on Sunday and Monday following Corpus Christus feast has taken place the "Infiorata", a most suggestive manifestation of art, pride of the artists of Genzano.

Poets and writers wrote about the "Infiorata":

*Massimo d'Azeglio "...you see the fair, the people, the truly rare beauty of the town crowds of Roman, holiday makers from the nearby Castles....everything lively; and seen from the foot of the ascent it seems to be a magnificent carpet, that you regret to see spoilt by the feet of the procession".

*Richard Voss "One of the most beautiful Italian fairs is held in Genzano, the fair of flowers; the whole city seems to be a gigantic flower bed. A marvellous spectacle".

*Hans Christian Andersen "The whole street is a carpet of flowers.... Not even a breathe of air moves and the flowers lie on the ground as if they were heavy precious stones...".

*Nikolai Gogol "....Don't think that the flowers are simply scattered along the street...Not at all; also don't say they are flowers, think of vari-coloured and historic carpets spread on the ground. All the designs are made of different petals; coats of arms, vases, various patterns and even a portrait of the Pope...".

Twin cities

*flagicon|France Châtillon, Hauts-de-Seine, France
*flagicon|Germany Merseburg, Germany
*flagicon|Poland Mokotów, Poland

External links

* [http://www.infiorata.it Official website of Infiorata]