Admiring the Cyclops’ walls of Lazio’s Alatri

My husband and I were in southern Lazio – the region (state) in which Rome is located – to visit the beautiful town of Anagni, frequently called the “Medieval Sistine Chapel” for its spectacular painted crypt. I’ll write more about it in a future post.

The weather was beautiful and we decided to explore a nearby town before our drive back to Rome, and so we made a stop-off in the neighboring hilltown of Alatri.

Alatri has ancient roots, priginally settled by the Ernici people, a pre-Roman Italic tribe, which would eventually be conquered by the Romans and brought into the empire. In Ancient Rome, it was known as Aletrium.

In the 7th century BC, the Ernici began constructing the town with its center a giant Acropolis surrounded by massive walls. Many Italian towns have protective walls, but the size and large stones of these walls make them unique. In fact, today it’s known as the Cyclops’ walls. Walking through the Porta maggiore and the Porta minore, you get a true sense of how impressive and large these walls truly are.

For the local population, the Acropolis served both a defensive and spiritual function. Today, the views from the Acropilic over the town and to the panoramic mountain peaks beyond make this well worth the climb up.

Alatri also boasts beautiful streets, squares and churches throughout the small old town, including the thirteenth century San Francesco church, although baroque elements would later be added.

The church holds the remnants of one of San Francesco of Assisi’s robes. Recent dating from the University of Chieti confirms that it is from the 13th century. This year, Italy is celebrating 800 years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. The church also boasts an intricate rose window.

The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore was originally built in the fifth century, with major modifications in the thirteenth century.

There is a beautiful rose window from the fourteenth century. It also houses the recently restored medieval wooden scrulpture of the Madonna of Constantinople, with the Madonna and child in the center and four impressive panels with Biblical scenes.

The renovation (and the recent return of the work to Alatri) allows you to admire the intricacy of these medieval wood carvings.

A highly enjoyable visit to this pretty hilltown in Lazio. Be sure to stop by.