Albano Laziale

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = Albano_Laziale-Stemma.png official_name = Comune di Albano Laziale
region = Lazio
province = Rome
elevation_m = 400
area_total_km2 = 23.80
population_as_of = December 31, 2004
population_total = 38258
population_density_km2 = 1489
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|41|44|N|12|40|E
frazioni = Cecchina, Pavona
telephone = 06
postalcode = 00041
gentilic = Albanensi
saint =
day =
mayor = Marco Mattei (since 2003-04-03)
website = [http://www.comune.albanolaziale.roma.it www.comune.albanolaziale.roma.it]

Albano Laziale is a commune in the province of Rome, on the Alban Hills, in Lazio (Latium). It is also a suburb of Rome, which is 25 km distant. It is bounded by other communes of Rome, Castel Gandolfo, Rocca di Papa, Ariccia and Ardea.

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 settlements, as it is showed the main streets, which still follow the ancient decumanus and cardo. Remains of the large baths built by Septimius' son, Caracalla, are still visibile.

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 on 1170 the Commune of Rome Army destroyed the town. After it became a possession of the Savelli family, who resided there until 1697: it was thenceforth 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 Vth mile of Appian Way is a monumental construction of "peperino" stone, in original with five conical columns, only two preserved.
*The "Pretorian Gate", it is the most important and impressive evidence of the encampment of the Parthian Legion (Legio II Parthica).
*The "St Peter Church"
*The "Church of the St Mary of the star and Catacombs". Inside there is the tomb of Maria Theresa of Austria Queen of the two Sicilies. Under the temple there are the catacombs of St Senatore a citizen of Albano, 3rd century, with frescos from the 5th/9th centuries.
*The "Roman Amphitheatre", 3rd century, elliptical plan, well preserved.
*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 the Rome's ones:
*"Santa Maria della Rotonda", inspired to the Pantheon and built over the ruins of Domitian villa. The belltowers are also very similar to those of Rome's medieval churches.
*"St Paul's Church" constructed in 1282, here are conserved the bones of St Gaspare del Bufalo.
*The large "Cathedral of Saint Pancras" was 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.

ee also

*History of Rome
*Bishop of Albano
*Alban Hills
*Cecchina
*Pavona

External links

* [http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?tb=1&city=Albano+Laziale&country=IT Mapquest - Albano Laziale]
* [http://www.jacobite.ca/gazetteer/Lazio/Albano.htm Jacobite Gazette]