San Cesareo
Welcome to San Cesareo, a municipality in the heart of Lazio!
Hello and welcome to San Cesareo! We are a municipality located in the metropolitan city of Rome Capital, in Lazio, with a population of approximately 16,177 inhabitants. Today, we will take you on a journey to discover the beauties of our territory, characterized by a Mediterranean climate and the presence of unique historical artifacts.
Physical Geography
Territory
Our territory covers an area of 24.4 km² and is characterized by a hilly position at 386 meters above sea level. Among the natural wonders that can be admired are the Hermitage of San Michele Arcangelo, the regional natural reserve of Nazzano, Tevere-Farfa, and the regional park of the Castelli Romani.
Climate
The climate of San Cesareo is typically Mediterranean, but during winter snowfall is not rare, although less frequent than in other neighboring municipalities such as Rocca Priora or Monte Compatri. The Italian municipal climate classification places us in zone D, 1908 GR/G.
History
The history of San Cesareo dates back to the Roman era, when this place was known as ''Ad Statuas'', thanks to the presence of numerous statues that adorned the area. The city is located about 29 km from Rome and is connected to it via the Via Labicana, which branched off into several roads towards the nearby cities of Tusculum, Palestrina, and Gabi.
Around the middle of the 2nd century BC, numerous villas of "otium" were built, including that of Gaius Julius Caesar, who drew up his will in the villa still existing today. Here, in 306 AD, Valerius Maximian was acclaimed emperor by the Praetorians and the people.
During the Middle Ages, the territory of San Cesareo was part of the Tuscolo County and, among the ruins of the imperial villa, the Basilian monks of the Greek Abbey of Grottaferrata erected a fortified depot and a church dedicated to Caesarius of Terracina, who replaced and Christianized the worship of Julius Caesar.
In 1191, the area became a fiefdom of the Colonna family and became a refuge for the population fleeing from the city of Tusculum, destroyed by the Romans. The name changed to "Burgus et Castrum Sancti Caesarii".
In 1333, during the wars between the Colonna and the Orsini, Bertoldo Orsini and the Count of Anguillara Sabazia were killed by Stefanuccio son of Giacomo Sciarra Colonna, while attacking Stefano Colonna the Elder at the castle of Zagarolo. The castle of San Cesareo was destroyed several times and abandoned in ruins.
In 1622, the estate of San Cesareo was sold to the Ludovisi family from Bologna, who began excavations to bring to light the works of the Roman era, especially the statues. In 1670, it was resold to the Rospigliosi family, who transformed it into a rich agricultural estate, worked by peasants from Capranica Prenestina, who settled on Colle Marcelli and built a village of huts.
In 1928, with the realization of the National Combatants' Opera, the estate was expropriated and the first buildings for the new town destined to house the ex-combatants of Capranica Prenestina were built. The city was named after San Cesareo and the first streets were named after the heroes of World War I, such as Filippo Corridoni, Cesare Battisti, Enrico Toti, Antonio Cantore, or even Via dei Cedri.
Curiosities about San Cesareo
- San Cesareo hosts the Living Nativity, organized during the Christmas period when the city transforms into the places of the Nativity.
- Every year, in June, the strawberry festival is held, an event celebrating the production of strawberries in San Cesareo.
- The feast of San Cesario, the patron saint of the municipality, is held every year on November 1st.
Conclusions
We have reached the end of this brief journey through the history and geography of San Cesareo. We are happy to have accompanied you in discovering the beauties and curiosities of this municipality, just a few kilometers from Rome, which encloses the treasures of ancient Rome and the beauty of Italian hill towns. We invite you to come and visit us and discover firsthand everything that San Cesareo and our community have to offer. Thank you for dedicating your time to us!
