DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.785#0238
136 FALLERI. [chap. vii.
line of ancient wall, flanking a hollow way or road, which
now leads to the ruined convent of Santa Maria di Falleri,
the only building standing within the walls.8 This end of
the city was probably the Arx.
The wall soon turns again and follows the course of the
valley through which flows the Miccino. Here it is based
on low tufo cliffs, in which are the mouths of several
sewers. On this side it is for the most part greatly dilapi-
dated: sometimes you lose sight of it altogether for a con-
siderable distance, then again trace it by detached portions
or by towers only, which jet boldly into the valley on pro-
jecting masses of cliff. The rock beneath the walls is in
many places hollowed into niches or caves, once evidently
tombs; and on the other side of the stream are tall cliffs,
full of long sepulchral niches one above the other, where the
Falerians of old stored up their dead. On that side also are
the remains of several Roman tombs—massive piles of opus
incertum, towering high above the light wood that covers
that bank of the stream. This necropolis has been little
explored, and I regret that I have not been able to give
it due examination. Dr. Henzen found one tomb here
with a Christian inscription.9
One of the city-towers stands on a projection of the cliff
where the wall makes a semi-circular bend inwards.
Beneath this tower is a tomb of unusual size, square and
lofty. It would seem at first sight to have been formed as
a cellar to the tower, but further observation shows that it
those of Peestum and Volterra, that it 8 Just within the gate, to the right
cannot be otherwise than of early date, as you enter, is a sewer-like hole, now
and not wholly Roman, as some have blocked up, which seems to have been a
supposed ; and again (Ann. Inst. 1835, window. It is not visible from without,
p. 192) he cites the head on the keystone because the ancient wall just in that
as a proof of this sort of decoration part is faced with medieval masonry ;
being Etruscan. It was also extensively but its form is distinguishable,
used by both Greeks and Romans. s Bull. Inst. 1844, p. 168.
line of ancient wall, flanking a hollow way or road, which
now leads to the ruined convent of Santa Maria di Falleri,
the only building standing within the walls.8 This end of
the city was probably the Arx.
The wall soon turns again and follows the course of the
valley through which flows the Miccino. Here it is based
on low tufo cliffs, in which are the mouths of several
sewers. On this side it is for the most part greatly dilapi-
dated: sometimes you lose sight of it altogether for a con-
siderable distance, then again trace it by detached portions
or by towers only, which jet boldly into the valley on pro-
jecting masses of cliff. The rock beneath the walls is in
many places hollowed into niches or caves, once evidently
tombs; and on the other side of the stream are tall cliffs,
full of long sepulchral niches one above the other, where the
Falerians of old stored up their dead. On that side also are
the remains of several Roman tombs—massive piles of opus
incertum, towering high above the light wood that covers
that bank of the stream. This necropolis has been little
explored, and I regret that I have not been able to give
it due examination. Dr. Henzen found one tomb here
with a Christian inscription.9
One of the city-towers stands on a projection of the cliff
where the wall makes a semi-circular bend inwards.
Beneath this tower is a tomb of unusual size, square and
lofty. It would seem at first sight to have been formed as
a cellar to the tower, but further observation shows that it
those of Peestum and Volterra, that it 8 Just within the gate, to the right
cannot be otherwise than of early date, as you enter, is a sewer-like hole, now
and not wholly Roman, as some have blocked up, which seems to have been a
supposed ; and again (Ann. Inst. 1835, window. It is not visible from without,
p. 192) he cites the head on the keystone because the ancient wall just in that
as a proof of this sort of decoration part is faced with medieval masonry ;
being Etruscan. It was also extensively but its form is distinguishable,
used by both Greeks and Romans. s Bull. Inst. 1844, p. 168.