A land of disputes, San Cesareo has a history of continuous controversy. In 1333, Bertoldo Orsini, Duke of Bracciano, and his brother-in-law the Count of Anguillara were killed here while they were going to attack Stefano Colonna, who was then in the castle of Zagarolo.
Thus began the wars between the Colonna and the Orsini. But the story doesn’t end here. More recently, the people of San Cesareo even started a dispute for the choice of their patron saint. The two brotherhoods of San Cesareo, that of Sant’Antonio di Padova and that of San Giuseppe, fought for the honour of having their saint as the patron saint of the municipality. Obviously it was San Cesareo who won.
The most devout tourists will be able to gather in prayer in front of his reliquary conserved in a wall showcase in the Chapel of the SS. Sacramento della Parrocchia di San Giuseppe.
Passing from the sacred to the profane, we reach the ruins of a large Roman building, known in the 19th century as “La Torraccia” or “La Rotonda di San Cesareo,” whose construction can be dated to the beginning of the 4th century, when the Roman emperor Maxentius lived in the area.
It is a large nymphaeum with a central plan developed on two levels. Originally it was square-shaped on the outside and circular inside. In the lower area, at the four corners, there was a circular exedra, surmounted by large windows. The vault was decorated with octagonal lacunars, while the wall decoration was formed by a covering of precious polychrome marble.
The feeling of being in the past, in the midst of history, will take your breath away. San Cesareo possesses many Roman constructions, portions of streets and aqueducts, which suggest the presence of an ancient settlement. Exceptional mosaics of great value brought to light during excavations have caused a stir in the world of archaeologists and professionals.
A visit to this small town on the outskirts of Rome is therefore a must!
A typical dish: Roman-style fettucine with chicken giblets.