DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.785#0217
CHAPTER VI.
CIVITA CASTELLANA.—FALERII (VETERES).
Faliscis,
Mcenia contigimus victa, Camille, tibi.—Ovid. Amor.
Poi giunsi in una valle incolta e fiera,
Di ripe cinta e spayentose tane ;
Che nel mezzo su un sasso havea un castello,
Forte, e ben posto, e a maraviglia bello.—Ariosto.
Feom Nepi, which is thirty miles from Rome, the
high road runs direct to Civita Castellana, a distance of
nearly eight miles ; but to the traveller on horse or foot
I would recommend a route, by which he will save two
miles. On passing the bridge of Nepi, let him turn
immediately to the right; a mile of lane-scenery with fine
views of Nepi will carry him to Castel di Santa Elia, a
small village, which looks much like an Etruscan site, and
was perhaps a castellum dependent on Nepete. The road
to it and beyond it seems in some parts to have been
ancient, cut through the tufo ; there are few tombs by
its side, but here and there portions of masonry, serving as
fences to the road, may be observed, which are of ancient
blocks, often found in such situations. He then enters on
a bare green down, rich in the peculiar beauties of the
Campagna. A ravine yawns on either hand. That on
the right, dark with wood, is more than usually deep,
gloomy, and grand. Beyond the other runs the high road
to Civita; and in that direction the plain—in winter an
uniform sheet of dark rich brown from the oak-woods
i2
CIVITA CASTELLANA.—FALERII (VETERES).
Faliscis,
Mcenia contigimus victa, Camille, tibi.—Ovid. Amor.
Poi giunsi in una valle incolta e fiera,
Di ripe cinta e spayentose tane ;
Che nel mezzo su un sasso havea un castello,
Forte, e ben posto, e a maraviglia bello.—Ariosto.
Feom Nepi, which is thirty miles from Rome, the
high road runs direct to Civita Castellana, a distance of
nearly eight miles ; but to the traveller on horse or foot
I would recommend a route, by which he will save two
miles. On passing the bridge of Nepi, let him turn
immediately to the right; a mile of lane-scenery with fine
views of Nepi will carry him to Castel di Santa Elia, a
small village, which looks much like an Etruscan site, and
was perhaps a castellum dependent on Nepete. The road
to it and beyond it seems in some parts to have been
ancient, cut through the tufo ; there are few tombs by
its side, but here and there portions of masonry, serving as
fences to the road, may be observed, which are of ancient
blocks, often found in such situations. He then enters on
a bare green down, rich in the peculiar beauties of the
Campagna. A ravine yawns on either hand. That on
the right, dark with wood, is more than usually deep,
gloomy, and grand. Beyond the other runs the high road
to Civita; and in that direction the plain—in winter an
uniform sheet of dark rich brown from the oak-woods
i2