| The origin of Marino can be dated back
to a pre-Roman age. In its surroundings there are ruins of huts
and proto-historical necropolis. Plinio described this place as
a colony named Castirmoenienses; probably this people descended
from the Munienses ancient Lazio's population. The Latins
called it Castrimoenium and built in its territory a large number
of villas. During the Middle Ages, as via Appia could not be crossed,
the road leading to Naples crossed Marino; thus its strategic
position transformed it in the object of conquests of local feudal
families.
The first of these families was that of the Conti di Tuscolo,
who built a castle around which gradually grouped the other
constructions. The centre named Castra Mareni probably expanded
towards the northern part of the modern town. Later on the property
of Marino was given as a dowry to the Frangipane. In 1266-1267
Marino was owned by the Orsini, in 1386 by the Caetani and in
1489 the Colonna Family bought it. The Colonna radically transformed
the town's structure. They owned Marino till the 19th
century.
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