PALESTRINA & CASTEL SAN PIETRO ROMANO

Location: Palestrina, Lazio (Italy) — 41.8396 N, 12.8925 E

Dating: 7th-4th centuries BC

Characteristics: Palestrina, or Praeneste as it was known in ancient times, consists of a long defensive circuit (circa 4-5 km) of polygonal stonework. The walls enclose the town (Palestrina) and acropolis (Castel San Pietro Romano) and include gateways and irregular tower segments at intervals. One of the most awe inspiring features of the site is a multi-tiered temple built by the Romans. Along the lower tiers of the palace and supporting much of the structures above lies a polygonal wall of exceptional precision. Its blocks are built directly over the bedrock and seem to fit seemlessly with the natural rock.

Polygonal classification: Types I-III (Lugli)

Attribution: The site is attributed to Latin Italic populations of Praeneste prior to or during early Roman expansion.

Specific points to see:

• Via Pierantonio Petrini
• Via della Vittoria
• Via del Borgo
• Strada Provinciale 58
• Castel San Pietro Romano – walking path around external polygonal walls