Castel di Leva
Discovering Castel di Leva: a hidden gem in Rome to explore
Castel di Leva is one of the 35 districts of Rome and is identified by the code Z. XXIII. It is located in the southern area of the city, next to and outside the A90 motorway and borders with different districts and municipalities.
Physical geography: a vast territory
Castel di Leva has a huge territory stretching over 81.65 km² from the Tor Pagnotta neighborhood to Santa Palomba, including Bel Poggio, Divino Amore, Porta Medaglia, Ente Maremma, Fiorano (Rome), and Falcognana. It is the second-largest toponomastic district in Rome after Castel di Guido.
The district borders to the north with the Q. XXXI Giuliano-Dalmata neighborhood and the Z. XXII Cecchignola and Z. XXI Torricola districts; to the east with the Z. XX Aeroporto di Ciampino (Rome district) and the municipalities of Marino (Italy), Castel Gandolfo, and Albano Laziale; to the south with the municipalities of Ardea and Pomezia; to the West with the Z. XXVI Castel di Decima and Z. XXV Vallerano districts (Rome).
The history of Castel di Leva
The area of Castel di Leva belonged to the Abbey of San Paolo fuori le mura, attached to the hamlet of Fiorano (Rome) and, at the end of the 13th century, was named "Castrum Leonis." In the 15th century, it lost its meaning and became "Casalis Castel de Leo."
The castle was made up of a merlata fortress that enclosed a tower, also merlata. Around it, residential units were grouped together and protected by a wall with several turrets guarding the complex. In the second half of the 16th century, the area belonged to the Capizucchi family. In the 18th century, a small church was built next to the fortress.
Gaetano Moroni described the Castel di Leva estate and shrine as follows: "This villa property of the Barnabite Fathers is one of the largest and most picturesque in the countryside of Rome, embracing such a vast extension that the large area in which it is included derives from it."
According to an ancient legend, a traveler took shelter from the rage of stray dogs by praying in front of the image of the Divine Love painted on the fortress. Since then, the image was detached from the fortress and placed inside the sanctuary of the Madonna del Divino Amore.
Monuments and places of interest
Castel di Leva is rich in monuments and places of interest that are worth a visit. Among the buildings of historical and cultural interest are:
- The Torre del Castrum Leonis, on via del Santuario, a medieval tower.
- The Tor del Vescovo, on via Ardeatina, a medieval tower.
- La Torre Medaglia, on via di Porta Medaglia, a medieval tower.
- The Tor di Sasso, on via di Fioranello, a medieval tower.
- The Tor Tignosa, on via della Solfarata, a medieval tower.
- The Casale of Santa Maria in Formarola, on via di Santa Maria in Fornarola, a medieval hamlet.
- The Torre Sant'Anastasia, on vicolo di Torre Sant'Anastasia, a medieval tower.
- Castelluccia di San Paolo, on vicolo della Castelluccia di San Paolo, a 14th-century fortification.
- The Casale of Falcognana di Sotto, on via Ardeatina, a 15th-century hamlet.
- La Cascina di Monte Migliore, on via Laurentina, a 16th-century hamlet.
- The Casale of the Solforata, on via della Solfarata, a 17th-century hamlet.
- The Casale del Palombaro, on via Appia Antica (IX miglio), a 17th-century hamlet.
- The Casale of the Certosa di Pavona, on via Pietrelcina, a 17th-century hamlet.
- The Casale of Falcognana di Sopra, on via Ardeatina, an 18th-century hamlet.
Among the religious architectures, there is the Chapel of San Pietro Chanel, on via della Solfarata, a 17th-century church (1673).
Conclusion: Castel di Leva - a district to visit
Castel di Leva is a district of Rome that deserves to be discovered. The vast and rich territory of historical and cultural monuments and places of interest will make the visit an unforgettable experience for those who wish to immerse themselves in the history of Rome and its surrounding countryside.
