Grottaferrata

Welcome to Grottaferrata: Discovering the Municipality

If you're looking for a charming place to spend your holidays or find your own home, Grottaferrata is the place for you! With its population of 20,636, it is a municipality located in the metropolitan city of Rome Capital in Lazio. Obtaining administrative autonomy in 1848, the city is residential and one of the most elegant and popular holiday destinations of the Castelli Romani. In this article, we will accompany you in discovering the city, talking about its territory, the Abbey of San Nilo and the materials that compose it.

Grottaferrata: history, territory, and San Nilo's Abbey.

Physical Geography

Territory

The municipal territory of Grottaferrata extends over an area of 18.36 km² and has been influenced by the volcanic activity of the Laziale Volcano between 600,000 and 20,000 years ago. The soil is mainly composed of volcanic material, rich in minerals such as peperino, Pietra sperone and Tufo.

According to the Geological Map of Italy by the Italian Geological Survey, the underground of Grottaferrata has a great variety of materials. The area of the inhabited center and the eastern part of the municipal territory are classified as zone "ca", while the entire western part of the municipal territory is classified as zone "v4". The height of Castel de' Paolis is classified as zone "v2", the bottom of the valley dug by the Acqua Marciana marana is classified as zone "lp", while the sides of the same valley are zone "β4".

The Abbey of San Nilo

The municipality of Grottaferrata is mainly known for the Abbey of San Nilo. Founded in 1004 by Nilo da Rossano, it is currently constituted as a territorial abbey governed by the Italian Basilian Order of Grottaferrata. The abbey is one of the most important examples of medieval architecture in Italy, with a Romanesque bell tower and architectural elements in oriental style.

The abbey had great historical importance, particularly in the 12th century, when it became a center of theological and philosophical education and the first schools and libraries developed. Even today, the abbey is an important cultural center, organizing events and conferences and hosting a library with approximately 80,000 volumes and a school of Basilian theology.

Conclusions

In conclusion, Grottaferrata is a fascinating municipality that has a lot to offer. From its territory characterized by volcanic material, to the impressive Abbey of San Nilo, every corner of the city has something interesting to discover. If you're looking for a holiday destination or a place to live, Grottaferrata is a place to consider.

Martina Moretti
Updated Saturday, Jan 28, 2023