Valmontone, roughly 30 km from the Capital, perches on a hill of volcanic rock [tuff] at 330 m above sea level, and sits amid scenery that is largely hilly and extremely verdant due to the River Sacco, which flows nearby, and numerous natural springs.
The origins of Valmontone are lost in legend; however, it seems to have been founded by Glauco, the son of Minosse and called Labicum (a kind of battle shield).
The name Valmontone, which first in a document dating from 1139, means valley overhung by a mountain, as the historical centre sits on a mountain overlooking a valley.
Worthy of note are the Catacombs of Sant’Ilario; the site was unearthed between 1985 and 1988 and consists of Christian catacombs probably excavated between the end of the 4th and beginning of the 5th century, with barrel-vaulted ceilings and containing six tunnels and five narrow passageways.
The Fountain del Colle, next to the Town Hall is charming. It was constructed in the second half of the 18th century and commissioned by Prince Giovanni Battista Pamphilj.
The fountain was almost completely destroyed by bombing during the Second World War but was reconstructed in 1986, identical to the original, of which the base and one of the side troughs had been left intact.
The fountain proved extremely convenient after the War for supplying water to the local people and has become the symbol of the town.
Not far from Valmontone is the Valmontone Outlet, a large shopping mall with over 180 shops, built to resemble an American town and Rainbow Magicland, a fantasy–themed amusement park.
For further information: Comune di Valmontone