Civita Castellana Attractions

In northern Latium, situated at the west end of a tufa plateau surrounded by deep gorges, is the ancient town of Civita Castellana (145m/479ft; pop. 15,000), capital of the Faliscan territory lying between Etruria and Latium. In 241 B.C. the Faliscan town, known to the Romans as Falerii Veteres, was destroyed by Roman forces and the inhabitants transferred to a new settlement at Falerii Novi, from which they later returned. The noteworthy 12th century cathedral of Santa Maria has a beautiful porch of 1210 and some ancient columns in the crypt. In a commanding situation to the west of the town stands the Citadel, built by Pope Alexander VI in 1494-1500 to the design of Antonio da Sangallo the Elder; in the large arcaded courtyard are decorative paintings by the Zuccaro brothers (16th century). The Citadel houses the Archeological Museum of the Faliscan Territory.