Located a few kilometers from Rome but unknown to most, Monterano is one of the most striking examples of ghost town in Italy. Already an Etruscan city, perhaps with the name Manturanum, it became a diocese in the early Middle Ages and a feud of various important Roman families. In 1799, following a dispute with the inhabitants of Tolfa, it was sacked by French troops; this fact, together with the persistence of malaria in the site, led to the decline of the village of Monterano and the mass transfer of the population to nearby towns. The evocative charm of the ancient village, uninhabited and invaded by woodland vegetation, has made it an excellent film set for dozens of films, including Ben-Hur, Brancaleone alle Crociate and Il Marchese del Grillo. During the fascinating walk through the ruins you will see the remains of the Castle (later the Ducal Palace, restored by Bernini), the Church and Convent of S. Bonaventura (also designed by Bernini) and the majestic arches of the 17th century aqueduct. The ruined village and the surrounding hills are currently included in the Monterano Nature Reserve, established to preserve its important historical and naturalistic value.
