Beschreibung
The Tomb of Cecilia Metella
This monument was constructed during the reign of Augustus in honor of Cecilia Metella, the daughter of a Roman consul. It is a circular mausoleum raised on a square base, similar to that of Augustus himself, only smaller.
In 1303 it was incorporated into the Castrum Caetani (Caetani Castle) and became the principal tower of that fortification. The palace of the Castrum, built over the solidified lava flows of Capo di Bove (which erupted some 300,000 years ago), retains its medieval characteristics and is witness to the power of the family of Pope Boniface VIII.
It is now possible to visit the underground levels. Taken together, the tomb and the castle offer an interesting overview of the techniques and materials of construction from antiquity to the Middle Ages.
The Villa dei Quintili
State property only since 1986, the Villa dei Quintili was the largest and most sumptuous residence of the Roman "suburbium" (suburbs). The original nucleus belonged to the Quintili brothers, consuls in 151 A.D., and was enlarged when the villa became imperial property under the emperor Commodus, who loved living here because of the peaceful countryside and the villa's thermal baths.
The villa extends between the Via Appia Antica and the Via Appia Nuova and was built around a large square. The most impressive construction nucleus is formed by the rooms for the masters and servants. They consist of a circular building, a series of rooms and the two large bath quarters called "Caldarium" and "Frigidarium", fourteen meters (close to 46 feet) high with large windows and polychrome marble.
The monumental complex is built in terraces overlooking the Roman countryside and offers a panorama that has inspired many famous artists through time.
