Sunday, April 8, We decide to go for a ride around the Roman castles, the day is good. I decide to take the M7 with me, load an Ilford Hp5 + film, sept the ASA 800, perhaps a risky choice as there is a lot of sun.
We visit Rocca di Papa, and climb towards the ruins of the papal fortress.
There is not much left, just a cross and a crazy view on the lake.
Rocca di Papa, Fortezza Pomtificia. Leica M7+Summarit.
“Built on the site of a sanctuary first Latin and then Roman, bitterly contested in the past, the Papal Fortress of Rocca di Papa is today an archaeological site of great value that was inaugurated in May 2011 after four years of excavations. at 753 meters above sea level, one can enjoy one of the widest panoramas of the Castelli Romani territory up to the sea.The Fortress was erected in the late twelfth century by Pope Eugene III and maintained its defensive role for almost four centuries, namely until (in the middle of the 16th century) Pope Paul III Farnese ordered its demolition: from that moment on the Fortress was used as a quarry for building materials.The destruction of the fort followed in the course of the centuries also a progressive burial of the structures, which the recent archaeological excavations have brought to light, along with several artifacts that belonged to the families who owned the castle (Orsini, Annibaldi, Colonna). ” Credits.
“Lake Albano (Italian: Lago Albano or Lago di Castel Gandolfo) is a small volcanic crater lake in the Alban Hills of Lazio, at the foot of Monte Cavo, 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Rome. Castel Gandolfo, overlooking the lake, is the site of the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo.
In Roman times it was known as Albanus Lacus and lay not far from the ancient city of Alba Longa.
With a depth of about 170 m (560 ft), Lake Albano is the deepest in Lazio. The lake is 3.5 km (2.2 mi) long by 2.3 km (1.4 mi) wide, and was formed by the overlapping union of two volcanic craters, an origin indicated by the ridge in its center, which rises to a height of 70 m (230 ft). Plutarch reports that in 406 BC the lake surged over the surrounding hills, despite there being no rain nor tributaries flowing into the lake to account for the rise in water level. The ensuing flood destroyed fields and vineyards before eventually pouring into the sea. It is thought to have been caused by volcanic gases, trapped in sediment at the bottom of the lake and gradually building up until suddenly releasing, causing the water to overflow.
Around 395 BC, during the wars between Rome and Veii, a discharge tunnel was built crossing the crater walls. It served as an emissary whenever the water level overflowed its mouth. According to Titus Livius, this feat of engineering was incited by the Oracle of Delphi: the Roman victory against Veii would be possible only when the lake waters were channeled and used for irrigation. The emissary is at 293 meters over the sea level. The tunnel (1200 m long, 1,20 m wide and 2 m high) ends at a spot called Le Mole, below Castel Gandolfo.
It hosted the canoeing and rowing events of the 1960 Summer Olympic Games that were held in Rome. The lane marking system developed for these events is commonly referred to as the Albano buoy system”. Wikipedia.
We get back on the road and arrive at Monte Porzio Catone, a town near Rocca di Papa. Very tired and without much desire, we immediately headed towards the Duomo.
Clicking in churches relaxes me, the soft light, the silence, is like being in tune with the creator of the Structure.
“Known as the Cathedral of Monte Porzio Catone, the Church of San Gregorio Magno was commissioned by a prince of the Borghese family and built by Carlo Rainaldi in 1666. Located in the historic center of the village is probably the most important place of worship in the area . Characterized by a marvelous façade, it preserves numerous works of great artistic value”.
The tiredness begins to be felt and after a short break we leave this town to go to Frascati.
Frascati, one of the most beautiful towns in Lazio, very close to Rome is made up of parks and villas of the nobles who once lived there. Unfortunately, my photographic hunger was exhausted with exhaustion. I photographed very little not doing honor to this beautiful place but I was just exhausted …
Alessandro Cipriani - Fotografo 