# Civita Castellana

- **Country:** Italy
- **Coordinates:** 42.283333, 12.400000
- **Location Text:** Rocca

Civita Castellana is a historic town and comune located in the province of Viterbo within the Lazio region of Italy, situated approximately 65 kilometers north of Rome. Perched near Mount Soracte at an elevation of 145 meters, the site holds deep historical roots dating back to the Iron Age when it was settled by the Italic Falisci people under the name Falerii. Following a Roman conquest, the original settlement was abandoned in favor of Falerii Novi nearby, but the location was repopulated during the early Middle Ages. First recorded as Civita Castellana, meaning City of the Castle, in 994, the town evolved into a flourishing independent commune that was frequently contested between the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire throughout subsequent centuries.

The town's architectural identity is defined by its strategic military past and religious heritage. In the late 15th century, Pope Sixtus IV assigned the city to Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia, the future Pope Alexander VI, who initiated the construction of the imposing Rocca fortress. This defensive structure was later completed under Pope Julius II and remains a dominant feature of the skyline. Religious architecture is equally significant, highlighted by the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore. This church features a renowned Cosmatesque portico erected in 1210 by the Roman family of marble workers, showcasing intricate mosaic decorations and ancient columns. Although the interior underwent modernization in the 18th century, it preserves medieval artistic fragments and a high altar crafted from a Paleo-Christian sarcophagus.

Historically, Civita Castellana served as a vital road hub following its connection to the Via Flaminia in 1606 and the later construction of the Ponte Clementino. The area was also the site of the Battle of Civita Castellana in December 1798, where French forces defeated the Neapolitan army during the turbulent era of the Roman Republic. Today, the town retains its status as an active community with a population of over 16,000 residents. While the Rocca stands as a testament to its papal military history, the well-preserved cathedral and other Renaissance structures, such as the church of Santa Chiara, continue to draw attention to the town's rich cultural legacy and artistic contributions to central Italy.

![Photo of Civita Castellana](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Civita_Castellana_%28VT%29_-_piazza_Giacomo_Matteotti_-_vista_notturna.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civita_Castellana (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)