| Its origin is uncertain
and legendary; probably it was founded by the Pelasgi, an epic
people descending from Pelasgo, a Greek mythological hero, or
by Telegono, the son of Ulysses and Circe.
In the 14th century B.C., the area was undoubtedly inhabited.
During the 7th-6th century B. C., because of its strategic position,
Tuscolo was the object of the Etruscan invasions. The birth
of Rome and the political decline of the Latin League determined
the decay of the political, economical and social life of the
town. In a later period Tuscolo was an important resort place,
where Roman prominent persons spent their holydays, among which:
Cicerone, Silla, Cato l'Uticense, Catullo, Tiberius, Nero
and Commodo, which in this place built their magnificent villas.
This area was property of the Conti di Tuscolo, one of the
most influential Roman families. The Tuscolo Family thanks to
their alliance with the emperor Henry III, dominated over the
Roman country. The events regarding the Tuscolo are strictly
related to those of the Family; thus the 17th April 1191 as
a consequence of the numerous struggles between noble families,
Tuscolo was completely destroyed. Direct descendant of the Tuscolo
Family, was the Colonna Family, that inherited their properties.
There are some archaeological ruins still marking the past splendour
of Tuscolo.
The Theatre built during the 1st century B.C., utilizing the
natural slope of the hill, that at present cannot be visited
as there are some archaeological excavations. Behind the theatre
there is a great tank divided in four sections by pillars supporting
a cross vault; this construction was widely restored by the
Camina in the ‘800.
An archaic tank, an example of opus quadratum, that it is difficult
to date back. It is covered by an ogival deck, and it was fed
by a fountain where it was possible to read the name of the
Edili, that ordered its construction.
The walls in opus quadratum still signing the ancient defensive
path, from which started several streets.
The Rocca, on the highest part of the hill, where once there
was the Roman Acropolis with the statues of Jove and of the
Dioscuri and, where later there was the baronial palace. From
this site the panorama is really astonishing. If the weather
conditions are good it is even possible to see the Ponziane
Islands. The cross was erected in 1934 to commemorate the Holy
Year in 1933.
On the hill flanks, among the vegetation, there are some ruins
along a paved street, it is the ‘strada dei sepolcri',
in fact the Romans usually buried dead persons along the streets
leading away from the centre of the town.
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